The much-anticipated breakfast meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, aimed at resolving the state’s ongoing power struggle, has reportedly ended in a “bit of an impasse,” sources told on Saturday. The two senior leaders, who met at the CM’s residence following a directive from the Congress high command, are said to have stuck firmly to their respective positions regarding the leadership change.
The high-stakes meeting was held as the Congress-led state government recently completed two-and-a-half years in power, which aligns with the supposed “rotational CM arrangement” or “power-sharing deal” reportedly agreed upon in May 2023. Under this alleged pact, DK Shivakumar was expected to take over the CM role from Siddaramaiah for the remaining half of the term.
However, sources indicated that instead of agreeing to a transition, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged his deputy to take over the top post only after the next Assembly elections in the state in 2028. Deputy CM Shivakumar shared a photo from the meeting, stating that it was a “productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead,” subtly signaling that relations remain cordial despite the political tension.
The meeting follows weeks of heightened speculation, fueled by Shivakumar’s cryptic social media posts emphasizing the importance of “keeping one’s word” and asserting that “word power is world power.” In response, Siddaramaiah had publicly cited the “mandate given by the people” and maintained his intention to complete the full five-year term.
With the local discussion failing to yield a breakthrough, all eyes are now on the Congress high command. A high-stakes Strategy Group meeting involving senior party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, is reportedly scheduled for Sunday, November 30, ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, where the Karnataka leadership tussle is expected to be the central point of discussion.