The breakfast sit-down might bring temporary calm if both sides agree to leave the decision to the central leadership.
The top leadership of the party intervened to calm rising tensions in Karnataka. Senior leaders asked the state’s two top contenders to meet and resolve the growing leadership dispute. In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah invited Deputy CM DK Shivakumar for a “sit-down over breakfast” to clear the air and restore unity.
The trouble began after the state government completed 2.5 years in office. Supporters of the deputy CM claimed there was an understanding that the CM’s post would rotate midway, giving Shivakumar a shot at the top job. Siddaramaiah, however, insists he won a full five-year mandate. The conflicting claims stirred strong doubts within party ranks.
The breakfast sit-down might bring temporary calm if both sides agree to leave the decision to the central leadership. But if the disagreement persists, the party may call both leaders to Delhi for a final decision — or even consider a reshuffle. For now, all eyes are on the outcome of the morning talks.
Siddaramaiah has said, “I will accept whatever the high command says,” and reaffirmed that his invitation is meant to discuss everything. Meanwhile, Shivakumar maintained he is “not in a hurry” to take over the chief minister’s post and stayed silent until after the meeting. Both leaders pledged to abide by the party’s final call.
The fact that the Congress high command stepped in shows the issue’s gravity. Multiple MLAs loyal to the deputy CM reportedly travelled to Delhi to press the demand. The meeting is being seen as a critical test for the party’s unity just before the winter session of Parliament.
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