Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said everything is fine in the state Congress and there are no differences between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said he is well aware of his “limitations” as Karnataka Congress president and his party’s sole focus is to chalk out a strategy for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.
DK Shivakumar told reporters, “There are no differences between me and the CM. Being the party president, I know my limitations. I have not made any comments anywhere or expressed any differences with the CM. We are all working together.”
“The people of Karnataka have a lot of aspirations and we are committed to working for them. Our target is 2028 and 2029 and we are working towards it. The CM and I will chalk out a strategy. We want to call an all-party meeting on various issues,” he said.
Amid growing speculation of a leadership tussle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the Congress tried to show unity as the two leaders held an hour-long breakfast meeting on Saturday in which they reiterated their commitment to the instructions of the party high command.
Although Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar aimed to send a message of harmony, the opposition dismissed the meeting as “sabotage or sham” and alleged that the leaders were attempting to hide their internal differences with a show of unity.
Speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka intensified on November 20, when the Siddaramaiah-led government completed half its term.
Citing the mandate given by the people of Karnataka, current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah insists that he will complete his five-year term. He stressed his commitment to fulfill the party’s promises, including the five guarantee schemes.
Shivakumar, on the other hand, is pushing for a change of leadership, citing a “secret agreement” between senior leaders that he should become the chief minister after two-and-a-half years.
The decision is expected to be taken soon by the high command under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have expressed their willingness to follow the party’s decision. The tussle, triggered by the 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, has forced loyalists from both sides to lobby for their leaders to stake claim to the top post in the state.