Karnataka 'Breakfast Diplomacy': Second Meet Between Siddaramaiah and DKS Draws Blank; Now, All Eyes on Congress High Command

In a bid to quell escalating leadership speculation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar convened for a second breakfast meeting in less than a week. This latest meeting, held at Shivakumar's residence on Tuesday, follows a similar engagement at the Chief Minister's residence. Despite the display of unity, the impasse over the Chief Ministerial post appears unresolved, with both leaders deferring the decision to the Congress high command.

The "breakfast diplomacy" initiative, seemingly orchestrated by the Congress high command, aims to project a united front amidst growing rumors of a power tussle and a potential 2.5-year power-sharing agreement between the two leaders. The menu at Shivakumar's residence included a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, featuring "Naati Chicken," idli, and dosa. This contrasted with the previous meeting at Siddaramaiah's residence, which featured a traditional vegetarian spread of Idli-Sambar and Upma.

Following the meeting, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar addressed the media, reiterating their commitment to running the government together and dismissing reports of any discord. Siddaramaiah stated that there were no differences between him and Shivakumar, emphasizing that they are governing like "brothers". When questioned about Shivakumar's potential ascent to the Chief Minister's position, Siddaramaiah responded, "When the High Command says". Shivakumar echoed this sentiment, affirming their trust in the party leadership.

However, sources suggest that the "breakfast diplomacy" has yet to yield a concrete resolution regarding the leadership issue. With the Karnataka government crossing the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, the Congress leadership is under pressure to address the growing speculation about a change in guard.

Adding to the uncertainty, Home Minister G. Parameshwar, another contender for the CM post, acknowledged the ongoing discussions and called for a "peaceful settlement". Meanwhile, a video clip of Siddaramaiah remarking that "politics is not permanent" during an informal conversation has gone viral, further fueling speculation about potential changes in the state's leadership.

The opposition has seized on the perceived power struggle within the Congress, with BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai deriding the "breakfast diplomacy" as political theatrics. JDS leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy went a step further,mocking the government as a "Breakfast Ministry" and alleging governance paralysis.

As the state gears up for the Belagavi legislature session starting on December 8, all eyes are now on the Congress high command to provide clarity on the leadership issue. The high command's decision will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the Karnataka government and resolving the ongoing power dynamics between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. The coming days are critical as the Congress party navigates these internal challenges to maintain stability and focus on governance in Karnataka.