In a significant display aimed at quelling internal dissent, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D K Shivakumar, held their second breakfast meeting in three days on Tuesday, emphatically declaring their unity and commitment to jointly running the state government.
A Display of Solidarity Amid Speculation
The meeting, hosted by Shivakumar at his residence, featured a spread of Nati chicken and idlis. This followed a similar gathering on Saturday at the CM's Cauvery residence with idli-vada-sambar. The repeated outreach is widely seen as a direct effort to ease escalating tensions within the state Congress unit regarding leadership.
Addressing a joint press briefing after the meal, Siddaramaiah projected a confident front. "There are no differences. Me and DK Shivakumar are united. We will run the government together in the future as well," he stated. He downplayed the speculated conflict, adding that all their MLAs were united and ready to face the opposition.
When questioned specifically about the possibility of Shivakumar becoming the chief minister, Siddaramaiah's response was succinct: "When the High Command says." He also indicated that a meeting with the party's central leadership was likely soon.
Discussions on Governance and Loyalty
The leaders stated that their discussions went beyond symbolism. Siddaramaiah revealed they talked about critical issues affecting farmers, including the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize and sugarcane. They also strategized for the upcoming Belagavi legislature session, which begins on December 8.
"It was decided that we should call a meeting of the MLAs on December 8. We will discuss farmers’ issues and other issues of the state," the Chief Minister said. He also accused the opposition BJP and JD(S) of planning to bring a no-confidence motion, asserting that his government remained pro-farmer.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the central leadership, Siddaramaiah emphasized, "Both of us will accept the decision taken by the high command, especially Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge." Shivakumar echoed the unity message on social media platform X, posting about their shared commitment to Karnataka's development.
BJP's Critique and the Root of the Tussle
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to mock the Congress's "breakfast diplomacy." Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai called Karnataka a stage for political theatrics. "If the CM and Dy CM are engaged in breakfast meetings, then when will they work for the welfare of the people? 'Karnataka ka natak' should finish soon," he remarked.
The public show of unity comes amid intense speculation about a leadership change. The Siddaramaiah-led government completed half of its five-year term on November 20. Talks of a 2023 "power-sharing" formula, where Siddaramaiah would serve 2.5 years before handing over the post to Shivakumar, have fueled the tensions, though neither leader has officially acknowledged such a pact.
While Siddaramaiah has consistently insisted he will serve a full term, supporters of Shivakumar have pushed for the alleged rotational agreement. The Congress high command is now actively working to keep both leaders aligned to prevent any instability in the state's governance, especially ahead of the crucial winter session in Belagavi.
