NewKerala.com

Karnataka Power Struggle: Can a Breakfast Meeting Heal Congress Rift?

Karnataka's top two leaders are sitting down over breakfast to try and sort out their differences. This meeting is a direct follow-up to one they had just a few days ago. The core issue is a disagreement over who should be the Chief Minister, based on an old understanding. Ultimately, they've both said they'll accept whatever ruling comes from their party's bosses in Delhi.

Key Points: Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah Meet Amid Karnataka Congress Power Tussle

  • The meeting follows a previous "productive discussion" aimed at calming internal party tensions.
  • Shivakumar's supporters demand he become CM for the government's remaining 2.5-year term.
  • The impasse stems from a 2023 power-sharing agreement between the two Congress leaders.
  • Both leaders agreed to abide by the Congress high command's final decision on the matter.
2 min read

Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar, CM Siddaramaiah expected to meet today over breakfast to resolve power tussle in Karnataka

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar hold a breakfast meeting to resolve their internal power-sharing dispute and present a united front.

"We have decided that we will follow whatever the high command says. There will be no confusion from tomorrow. - CM Siddaramaiah"

Bengaluru, December 2

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has invited Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a breakfast meeting at his residence on Tuesday morning, Shivakumar's office said, amid the ongoing power struggle within the Karnataka Congress.

The meeting follows a high-level interaction between the two leaders on Saturday morning at Siddaramaiah's Cauvery residence.

The Saturday meeting was described by Shivakumar as a "productive discussion on Karnataka's priorities and the road ahead", but it was also seen as an attempt to calm tensions arising from the internal power struggle within the Congress party.

Shivakumar's supporters have been calling for him to be made Chief Minister for the remaining 2.5 years of the Congress-led government, which has fuelled a political divide within the party. The internal disagreement over the CM post, rooted in the "power-sharing agreement" of 2023, has pushed both leaders to meet repeatedly, attempting to avoid a full-blown crisis.

During the Saturday breakfast, Shivakumar in a post on X stated, "Met Hon'ble CM Siddaramaiah Avaru at Cauvery Residence this morning for a breakfast meeting. A productive discussion on Karnataka's priorities and the road ahead."The meeting, which also included Siddaramaiah's legal advisor, AS Ponnanna, aimed to resolve the impasse, with Shivakumar expected to travel to Delhi to meet the Congress high command soon.

Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated his position that there was no change in his stance. After an hour-long breakfast of Idli-Sambar and Upma, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar reaffirmed cohesion and unity within the Congress party, saying that both leaders have decided to follow whatever decision the party high command takes and resolve any "confusion".

"We have decided that we will follow whatever the high command says. There will be no confusion from tomorrow. There is still no confusion. Some media reporters have created the confusion," CM Siddaramaiah said during a press conference.

Talking about the breakfast meeting at the press conference, the Chief Minister said that they both "just had breakfast" after Congress's General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal asked Siddaramaiah to invite DK Shivakumar and AS Ponnanna.

According to CM, they discussed their agenda for the 2028 elections and the upcoming local body elections.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
At least they are talking over idli-sambar and not fighting publicly. Hope the high command gives a clear decision soon. This uncertainty is not good for Karnataka's development projects. 🤞
V
Vikram M
Classic Congress drama. The 2023 agreement should be honored. If they promised a rotation, they must follow through. Otherwise, it sets a bad precedent. DK Shivakumar worked very hard for the party's victory.
A
Ananya R
Discussing the 2028 agenda? Seriously? First, please deliver on the promises made for THIS term. The people of Karnataka voted for development, not for endless power-sharing negotiations.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see how internal party dynamics play out in Indian states. The "high command" culture is quite unique. Hope they find stability soon for the sake of administrative continuity.
S
Siddharth J
Siddaramaiah is an experienced administrator. A change in leadership mid-term always causes disruption. Sometimes stability is more important than strict adherence to a backroom agreement. Let him complete the term.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50