In a carefully orchestrated display of solidarity, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, shared a traditional breakfast in Bengaluru on Tuesday, aiming to silence persistent speculation about leadership tensions within the state's ruling Congress party.
A Meal with a Message: Idli Meets Country Chicken
The event, held at Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's residence in the upscale Sadashivanagar area, was rich in symbolic gestures. Siddaramaiah arrived around 10 am, where he was welcomed by Shivakumar, his brother and former MP DK Suresh, and Kunigal legislator HD Ranganath.
The breakfast menu itself highlighted the distinct preferences of the two leaders. While Shivakumar, a vegetarian, was served idli and other vegetarian fare, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's plate featured country chicken (naati koli) cooked in the traditional Mysuru style. Shivakumar revealed that his wife Usha, who hails from Mysuru, personally prepared the dish, keeping the CM's well-documented fondness for rustic flavours in mind.
Siddaramaiah added a specific culinary detail, mentioning that when Shivakumar consulted him on the menu, he requested "desi style" dishes and asked for the country chicken to be sourced from outside Bengaluru. He remarked that the farm chicken available in the city "doesn't taste as good."
"We Are Brothers": Dismissing Rumours Ahead of Crucial Session
Following the meal, the two leaders addressed the media, projecting an image of complete harmony. They repeatedly referred to each other as "brothers" and dismissed any talk of internal discord as baseless. "There are no differences [between us]. Shivakumar and I are united; together we run the government," Siddaramaiah asserted.
He further emphasised their long-term commitment, stating, "We are always brothers. We are in the same party, believe in the same ideology and will work together. In 2028 too, we will work together and bring the Congress back to the helm." Shivakumar echoed these sentiments, insisting the party's MLAs were a cohesive unit and labelling factional talk a "media creation."
The timing of this show of unity is significant, coming just days before the winter session of the state legislature begins in Belagavi on December 8. The opposition BJP is expected to mount a fierce attack on the government, making a display of stability paramount for the Congress high command.
Curious Subtext: Matching Watches and a Past Controversy
Beyond the food and rhetoric, an unexpected detail captured public attention. During their joint press appearance, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were seen wearing strikingly similar gold-toned watches. Observers in political circles noted that the watches appeared similar to the high-end Cartier Santos De line, each estimated to be worth around Rs 43 lakh.
This sartorial coordination added a curious, unspoken layer to the day's messaging on unity. Neither leader's office commented on the accessories. The incident evoked memories of a 2016 controversy when Siddaramaiah, during his first term as CM, faced severe criticism for wearing an expensive Hublot Big Bang watch. In a dramatic move, he later handed it over to the state government, declaring it a state asset.
The breakfast meeting also featured a light-hearted yet pointed exchange between Siddaramaiah and a female reporter. When he asked if she liked chicken, she identified as a "pure" vegetarian. The CM probed further, asking if that included eggs. Upon her saying no, Siddaramaiah quipped, "You are missing something in life," a remark that underscored his own pronounced non-vegetarian preference which had just been centre stage.
Ultimately, the "naati koli–powered" breakfast served its immediate political purpose: to project calm and control. However, in Karnataka's volatile political landscape, such displays are often seen as necessary theatre, with the real test of unity likely to come during the challenging legislative session in Belagavi.
