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A crucial breakfast meeting between Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is expected to ease the ongoing leadership tussle within the ruling Congress. With Assembly session scheduled from 8 December, the party high command has directed both leaders to resolve differences without Delhi’s intervention.
Sidddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar Meet Over Breakfast
Bengaluru: The ongoing tussle over the Chief Minister's post in Karnataka is once again in the headlines. The days-long simmering controversy has now reached a point where the party leadership has issued clear instructions that the dispute be resolved without interference from Delhi. In this regard, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has invited his colleague and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for breakfast on Saturday morning, where the two leaders will discuss the issues openly.
The Shivakumar camp renewed the demand for a change of Chief Ministership last week, on November 20th. The Congress government completed its 2.5-year term that same day, and it is being claimed that this "2.5-2.5-year rotation formula" was agreed upon at the time of government formation in May 2023. However, there is no written document on this, nor has the Congress high command ever publicly acknowledged it.
Despite this, the issue has escalated political heat over the past week. The upcoming Assembly session begins on December 8, and the Congress top leadership wants this dispute to be completely resolved before then.
On Friday evening, Siddaramaiah revealed that the party high command had called him and Shivakumar and suggested a meeting. He said, "I have invited him for breakfast. When he comes, we will discuss all the issues."
He also reiterated his previous stance that he will follow the party leadership's instructions. He said that Shivakumar has also repeatedly stated that the final decision rests with the high command.
Siddaramaiah also clarified that he has not been called to Delhi. He said, "If called, I will go."
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar recently said that he is in no hurry to become Chief Minister. He said at an event, "Party workers may be excited, but I'm not in a hurry. The party will decide."
However, his supporters continue to claim that the time has come for a change of guard. His influence within the Vokkaliga community is also considered strong, which gives his claim political weight.
The Congress leadership's signal is clear: there is no intention to remove Siddaramaiah at this time. He is the most prominent leader of the Kuruba community and also has a strong hold among Dalits and minorities. The party wants to maintain confidence in his leadership in terms of power balance and social dynamics.
Conversely, Shivakumar is also a major contender based on his caste and political background. Given the balance of power within the party, Congress wants to avoid any major changes.
Today's breakfast meeting is considered crucial for Karnataka politics. If the two leaders reach an agreement, Congress could be relieved. But if differences persist, this dispute could deepen in the coming days.
For now, the entire state is focused on this meeting between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
