In a bid to quell the escalating leadership crisis within the Karnataka Congress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hosted Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting at his official residence on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The meeting, orchestrated at the behest of the Congress high command, aimed to resolve the ongoing power struggle that has threatened to destabilize the state government.
The breakfast, which included traditional South Indian fare such as idli, vada, sambar, and upma, was more than just a social call; it was a strategic move to project an image of unity and address the simmering tensions between the two leaders. Speculation about a power-sharing agreement, where Shivakumar would potentially replace Siddaramaiah after two and a half years, has fueled the infighting since the Congress party's victory in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Following the meeting, both leaders addressed the media, putting up a united front and dismissing reports of any discord. Siddaramaiah stated that the breakfast meeting was convened to dispel "unwanted confusion" created by the media, while Shivakumar asserted that there were no factions within the party. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to abiding by the decisions of the party high command.
The urgency behind the high command's intervention stems from several factors. Firstly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister during the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly, scheduled to begin on December 8. Although the opposition lacks the numbers to topple the government, any visible cracks within the Congress legislature party could prove disastrous. Secondly, the Congress party is keen on maintaining a stable government in Karnataka, especially with the 2028 Assembly elections on the horizon.
While the breakfast meeting and subsequent joint press conference projected an image of unity, it remains to be seen whether this truce is a genuine resolution or merely a temporary political band-aid. Shivakumar is expected to travel to Delhi to meet with the party high command, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, where further discussions and decisions are anticipated.
Several possible outcomes remain on the table. A cabinet reshuffle is expected, and the party high command will have to decide whether to retain Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister or elevate Shivakumar. Some reports suggest that Shivakumar is pushing for a leadership change before the Assembly session in Belagavi or, at the latest, by February, with the aim of presenting the budget himself as the new Chief Minister.
The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Karnataka's leadership and the stability of the Congress government. Whether the breakfast meeting was a sincere attempt to bridge the divide or simply a tactical maneuver remains to be seen, but the stakes are high for both the leaders and the party.
