'No Differences Now Or In Future': Siddaramaiah's Big Remark After Breakfast With Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met for breakfast on Saturday, in an attempt to quell the ongoing speculation about a change in leadership in the state. The meeting, held at Siddaramaiah's official residence, comes amidst persistent rumors of a power tussle between the two Congress leaders, with reports suggesting Shivakumar is vying for the Chief Minister's post after Siddaramaiah completed half of his five-year term on November 20.

Following the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah made a significant statement, asserting that there are "no differences now or in the future" between him and Shivakumar. This declaration is aimed at projecting an image of unity within the ruling Congress party and dispelling any notions of internal conflict.

The Congress high command intervened on Friday, urging both leaders to resolve their differences through discussion. This intervention underscores the party's concern over the potential destabilizing effect of the perceived power struggle on the state government.

The speculation surrounding a change in leadership gained momentum after the Congress government reached the midpoint of its term, reviving reports of a "rotational Chief Minister" agreement made in 2023. According to these reports, Shivakumar was promised the Chief Minister's position after two and a half years, in exchange for accepting the Deputy Chief Minister role following the party's victory in the 2023 Assembly elections.

While Siddaramaiah has maintained that he was given a mandate to serve as Chief Minister for the full five-year term, Shivakumar has subtly hinted at the existence of a power-sharing arrangement. This difference in perception has fueled the ongoing speculation and led to increased pressure on the Congress high command to address the issue.

A photo of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar sharing a breakfast of upma, idli, and sambar was quickly circulated, seemingly to convey a message of cordial relations between the two leaders. However, the underlying tensions remain, and the Congress high command is expected to make a final decision on the matter soon. Shivakumar is scheduled to travel to Delhi to meet with party leaders, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have stated that they will abide by the high command's decision. However, the outcome of this leadership question will have significant implications for the future of the Congress party in Karnataka, especially with the 2028 elections on the horizon.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are considered indispensable to the party's success in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah is a mass leader with strong support among AHINDA communities (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits), while Shivakumar is known for his organizational skills and crisis management abilities.

Some within the Congress party fear that the ongoing power struggle could damage the party's prospects in Karnataka. As such, the high command's decision will need to carefully balance the competing interests and ensure the stability of the government in the lead-up to the next elections.