In an apparent display of unity, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit his deputy D K Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast on December 2, just days after the two broke bread in the wake of a raging power tussle. This meeting, a follow-up to a similar one convened by the Congress high command. NEW DELHI: Just as the Congress government in Karnataka crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are making a renewed show of unity amid an escalating leadership tussle.Siddaramaiah on Tuesday visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast 2.0, a gesture seen as an attempt to ease tensions just days after the two leaders held a similar meeting at the chief minister’s home. Shivakumar on Monday extended an invitation to the CM to join him for breakfast, and posted on X saying, “Me and the CM continue to work together as a team. I have invited the Hon’ble CM for breakfast tomorrow to discuss and strengthen our collective efforts to deliver on our promises to Karnataka.”His comments came after Siddaramaiah told reporters “that day (Saturday) he (Shivakumar) asked me to come to his house for breakfast on Tuesday. I have not received any call till now. If invited, I will go. He may call. I think he will invite me.”Duo holds similar breakfast meeting The outreach is part of efforts to break the leadership deadlock between the two. Just two days earlier, Shivakumar had visited the CM’s residence for a similar breakfast meeting, called by Siddaramaiah on the high command’s instructions to ease tensions and present a united front ahead of the Belagavi legislature session beginning December 8.At a closely watched joint press briefing, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar dismissed reports of a rift as “manufactured confusion” and agreed to remain united until the high command takes up the issue.Following the meet, Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone well. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us ( CM, deputy CM and advisor) enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to put an end to the confusion. Our mission is very clear — local elections are very important, and for the 2028 elections we are ensuring that Congress comes back to power. There is no difference between me and DKS — not now, not before.”He added “The media has created this confusion. From tomorrow, let there be no confusion.” He reiterated that both leaders would abide by the direction of the Congress high command, saying, “What the high command says, we will listen to and abide by.” Siddaramaiah added that the Assembly session beginning December 8 would be conducted smoothly and that the party would “fight BJP and JD(S) together.”Shivakumar, echoed the same stating that, “People have shown great trust and given a massive mandate to us. It is our duty to deliver to the people of Karnataka… Both of us have full trust in our leadership. One word from the high command, if they tell me to wait, I will wait. Both of us will follow whatever the high command says.” He added, “Whatever the CM says, I agree with him. We will not allow outsiders to interfere.” The show of unity comes amid intense speculation over a possible leadership change when the government completed half of its term. Rumours were fuelled by talk of a 2023 “power-sharing” understanding under which Siddaramaiah would serve 2.5 years and Shivakumar would lead the remaining tenure, a deal neither leader has openly acknowledged, and which the party has never confirmed.While Siddaramaiah maintains he will complete the full five-year term, Shivakumar’s camp has pushed for the alleged rotational formula. The high command is now working to keep both leaders aligned to avoid instability in the state.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. 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NEW DELHI: Just as the Congress government in Karnataka crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are making a renewed show of unity amid an escalating leadership tussle.Siddaramaiah on Tuesday visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast 2.0, a gesture seen as an attempt to ease tensions just days after the two leaders held a similar meeting at the chief minister’s home. Shivakumar on Monday extended an invitation to the CM to join him for breakfast, and posted on X saying, “Me and the CM continue to work together as a team. I have invited the Hon’ble CM for breakfast tomorrow to discuss and strengthen our collective efforts to deliver on our promises to Karnataka.”His comments came after Siddaramaiah told reporters “that day (Saturday) he (Shivakumar) asked me to come to his house for breakfast on Tuesday. I have not received any call till now. If invited, I will go. He may call. I think he will invite me.”
Duo holds similar breakfast meeting
The outreach is part of efforts to break the leadership deadlock between the two. Just two days earlier, Shivakumar had visited the CM’s residence for a similar breakfast meeting, called by Siddaramaiah on the high command’s instructions to ease tensions and present a united front ahead of the Belagavi legislature session beginning December 8.At a closely watched joint press briefing, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar dismissed reports of a rift as “manufactured confusion” and agreed to remain united until the high command takes up the issue.Following the meet, Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone well. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us ( CM, deputy CM and advisor) enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to put an end to the confusion. Our mission is very clear — local elections are very important, and for the 2028 elections we are ensuring that Congress comes back to power. There is no difference between me and DKS — not now, not before.”He added “The media has created this confusion. From tomorrow, let there be no confusion.” He reiterated that both leaders would abide by the direction of the Congress high command, saying, “What the high command says, we will listen to and abide by.” Siddaramaiah added that the Assembly session beginning December 8 would be conducted smoothly and that the party would “fight BJP and JD(S) together.”Shivakumar, echoed the same stating that, “People have shown great trust and given a massive mandate to us. It is our duty to deliver to the people of Karnataka… Both of us have full trust in our leadership. One word from the high command, if they tell me to wait, I will wait. Both of us will follow whatever the high command says.” He added, “Whatever the CM says, I agree with him. We will not allow outsiders to interfere.” The show of unity comes amid intense speculation over a possible leadership change when the government completed half of its term. Rumours were fuelled by talk of a 2023 “power-sharing” understanding under which Siddaramaiah would serve 2.5 years and Shivakumar would lead the remaining tenure, a deal neither leader has openly acknowledged, and which the party has never confirmed.While Siddaramaiah maintains he will complete the full five-year term, Shivakumar’s camp has pushed for the alleged rotational formula. The high command is now working to keep both leaders aligned to avoid instability in the state.
