The political stalemate over the chief ministerial post in Karnataka shows no signs of immediate resolution, despite a renewed attempt at "breakfast diplomacy" between incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar. The two leaders shared their second breakfast meeting within a week at Shivakumar's residence, but the talks concluded without a breakthrough, pushing the decision back to the Congress party's high command in Delhi.
Decision Deferred to High Command
Emerging from the meeting, Siddaramaiah made it clear that the timeline for any decision rests solely with the party's top leadership. "When the high command says," was his terse response when questioned about when Shivakumar might assume the chief minister's role. He confirmed that there has been no communication from the high command regarding a decision schedule but indicated readiness to travel to Delhi if summoned. Siddaramaiah also mentioned a planned interaction with AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal at a function.
Both leaders, however, presented a united public facade. Siddaramaiah asserted that there are no differences between him and his deputy, describing their governance as a fraternal partnership that would continue seamlessly. This show of unity aligns with the Congress high command's earlier nudge for cohesion ahead of the crucial Belagavi legislature session commencing on December 8.
Factions and Speculations Intensify
The political maneuvering gained momentum after the Congress government crossed its halfway mark on November 20. Reports surfaced that MLAs and MLCs loyal to Shivakumar's faction had camped in Delhi to lobby for his elevation. Adding fuel to the fire, Shivakumar himself had previously claimed the existence of a "confidential understanding on leadership transition" among a handful of top leaders post the 2023 election victory, though he refused to divulge details publicly.
Another contender in the race, Home Minister G Parameshwara, acknowledged the ongoing discussions and called for a peaceful settlement. He termed the breakfast meetings a positive development, suggesting that all major issues were settled and the interactions were merely reciprocal.
"Politics is Not Permanent": A Telling Remark
Further intensifying the speculation, a viral video captured Siddaramaiah in an informal chat with Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna hours after his meeting with Shivakumar. In the clip, the Chief Minister is heard making a philosophically loaded statement: "Whatever has to happen, let it happen. Is politics my father's property? Politics is not permanent." While the exact context remains unclear, the remark is widely being interpreted in political circles as linked to the ongoing talks of a leadership change in the state.
With the second round of breakfast talks drawing a blank, the ball is firmly in the court of the Congress high command. The party's central leadership now faces the critical task of mediating a solution that satisfies both powerful leaders and their respective support bases, ensuring stability for the Karnataka government as it prepares for the upcoming legislative session.
