Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Deny Fissures on CM Post
The Congress high command on Friday intervened and asked the two leaders to resolve the issue by talking to each other
Bengaluru:In an effort to end the ongoing leadership crisis in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D. K. Shivakumar on Saturday presented a united front, asserting that there were “no differences or confusion” between them. In New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also held meetings to assess the situation.
According to party insiders, the Congress high command has struck a deal with Shivakumar, projecting him as the party’s face for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. The agreement reportedly includes his continuation as the state unit chief. Shivakumar is also said to be pushing for the inclusion of more of his supporters in the cabinet and in key state corporations.
Addressing a joint press conference after a breakfast meeting at Siddaramaiah’s residence, Kaveri, both leaders said they would abide by the high command’s decisions.
Siddaramaiah said, “I had a breakfast meeting with Shivakumar because some unwanted confusion was created. It was created by the media. We don’t have differences. Even today there are no differences, and there won’t be any in future. I will ensure that from now on it does not exist.”
Shivakumar echoed him, blaming the media for fuelling speculation. He said the people of Karnataka had given the Congress a strong mandate, and the party must now meet their expectations.
Dismissing any rift, he said, “We don’t have factionalism. We will go together, take everyone along, and abide by the party high command.”
Shivakumar, who also heads the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, said they discussed the Congress’ strategy for the 2028 Assembly polls, ways to counter the Opposition, and preparation for a possible no-confidence motion should the BJP bring one in the upcoming winter session in Belagavi. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the government would tackle the opposition effectively during the session, starting December 8.
Despite the show of unity, an uneasy calm prevails in the Karnataka Congress. The high command is expected to summon both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi soon to formally resolve the leadership issue. Meanwhile, several Karnataka leaders are already in the capital. Priyank Kharge, minister in the Karnataka government and son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, met his father, while other leaders including former MP D.K. Suresh and AICC Karnataka in-charge and MLC B.K. Hariprasad are also in Delhi.