Amidst ongoing speculation regarding a potential shift in Karnataka's leadership, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru airport on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. This meeting, described by some as a "helicopter shot," has stirred considerable political buzz, especially with the state government having completed two and a half years in power.

The interaction occurred as Rahul Gandhi was en route from Tamil Nadu. He arrived at Mysuru to change flights and engaged in brief, separate conversations with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar on the runway. Following these individual exchanges, all three leaders were seen conversing together. While the Congress leadership has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these discussions, the meetings have fueled speculation, particularly concerning leadership issues within the Karnataka Congress.

Adding to the intrigue, DK Shivakumar shared a cryptic social media post shortly after the meeting, stating, "Even if the effort fails, the prayer does not fail". This message has been widely interpreted as a veiled reference to the ongoing leadership tussle and his aspirations for a greater role within the party.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has downplayed the significance of the meeting, clarifying that no political discussions took place with Rahul Gandhi during their brief encounter at the Mysuru airport. He reiterated that the final decision regarding leadership rests with the Congress high command and that he would abide by their decision. Siddaramaiah also dismissed reports of internal discord, asserting that the media was creating unnecessary confusion.

DK Shivakumar himself addressed the media, stating that Rahul Gandhi simply advised the state government to "continue the good work". He downplayed speculations linking his social media post to his conversation with Gandhi.

The backdrop to this meeting is the ongoing speculation about a potential power-sharing arrangement in Karnataka, with names like Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara being discussed. Shivakumar, while acknowledging that he doesn't come from a political family, expressed confidence that the party would make the right decision regarding his future. He also criticized Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, alleging that people within Kumaraswamy's own community were criticizing him.

Despite the denials and attempts to downplay the significance of the meeting, the brief interaction between Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, and Shivakumar at the Mysuru airport has undoubtedly added fuel to the fire of leadership speculation within the Karnataka Congress. The coming weeks are likely to be crucial in determining the future direction of the party and the state government.