Source HT
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D. K. Shivakumar presented a united front to the media on Saturday, following a much-anticipated breakfast meeting at the CM’s residence, ‘Kaveri.’ Despite the warm optics of sharing idli, vada, and sambar, the high-stakes encounter, necessitated by an intervention from the Congress High Command, reportedly failed to resolve the core issue of the state’s leadership rotation.
The meeting was convened after the simmering power tussle between the two senior leaders boiled over in recent days, fuelled by the government completing two-and-a-half years in office and persistent rumours of a power-sharing pact for the Chief Minister’s post.
Unity on Display
Addressing a brief joint press conference afterwards, both leaders moved to quash speculation of a rift.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah insisted there were “no differences” between them, now or in the future. “I had a breakfast meeting with Shivakumar because some unwanted confusion was created, created by the media. We don’t have differences… I will ensure that from now on it does not exist,” he stated.
Deputy CM Shivakumar echoed the sentiment, emphasising that both leaders are loyal soldiers of the party and will abide by the decision of the High Command. He posted on social media describing the discussion as a “productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead.”
The Core Issue Remains Unbroken
However, sources privy to the closed-door discussions suggest the meeting achieved only a temporary truce and not a substantive resolution to the leadership question. Both leaders are understood to have held firm to their respective positions regarding the alleged rotational Chief Minister arrangement.
The High Command is believed to have directed the meeting as a damage-control exercise to present an image of cohesion, particularly with the legislature session looming. While the political temperature has been lowered, the central dilemma for the Congress leadership—whether to allow Siddaramaiah to complete his full five-year term or honour a mid-term handover to Shivakumar—remains unresolved.
The focus now shifts to Delhi, where the Congress central leadership is expected to hold further discussions with both leaders and make a definitive decision on the matter.
