Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday firmly rejected swirling political speculation regarding his current trip to New Delhi, asserting that the visit is strictly for a “private programme and a couple of meetings.”
The Deputy CM’s travel coincides with intense political chatter in state circles, which has intensified since the Congress government completed its halfway mark, reigniting rumours of a potential power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Dispelling Leadership Tussle Claims
Shivakumar, who is also coordinating logistics for the Congress party’s national protest in Ramlila Maidan on December 14, stressed that his Delhi visit has “nothing political” about it and confirmed he would be back for Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
“There is nothing political about my Delhi visit. I will be back for tomorrow’s cabinet meeting,” Shivakumar said, cautioning that supporters chanting his name along with that of other political figures should not be misconstrued as an attempt at political posturing.
When asked about reports of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah meeting senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, Shivakumar asked, “What is wrong with the chief minister meeting Venugopal, or even Rahul Gandhi?”
The Half-Term Agreement Context
The renewed focus on the leadership question stems from an alleged “rotational chief ministership” agreement. It was reportedly informally worked out by the Congress high command during the formation of the government in May 2023, which would see each leader holding the CM office for 2.5 years. With the government completing its half-term on November 20, supporters of both the Kuruba-OBC-backed Siddaramaiah and the Vokkaliga-backed Shivakumar have stepped up their lobbying.
In a recent, highly symbolic move to project unity, both leaders engaged in a round of “breakfast diplomacy” at each other’s residences. Following the meetings, they stressed that there was “no rift,” referred to each other as “brothers,” and pledged to abide by the verdict of the party high command.
While Shivakumar has publicly maintained he is “in no hurry” for the top post, Siddaramaiah has repeatedly stated he will continue for the full five-year mandate unless the high command directs otherwise.
DKS Defends CM on Luxury Watch Jibe
Shivakumar also waded into a controversy started by the opposition BJP, which targeted the Chief Minister for allegedly wearing a luxury watch worth ₹43 lakh during one of the breakfast meetings, calling it an exposure of an “extravagant mindset.”
In a forceful defense, Shivakumar displayed his own timepiece, stating, “I bought this watch from Australia. I paid ₹24 lakh for this watch from my credit card. Please check my transaction, it’s my hard-earned money. Siddaramaiah could have got a gift from someone. What is wrong in wearing a gifted watch?”
The BJP’s remarks, posted on X, had mocked the Chief Minister: “Mr Siddaramaiah, your definition of Socialism seems to come with a very high price tag. While the people of Karnataka struggle with drought and crumbling infrastructure, our ‘Simple Socialist’ CM flaunts a Santos de Cartier.”