Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar firmly dismissed all speculation about leadership change talks on Wednesday. He stated that his meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi followed standard protocol and contained no discussions about replacing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar Provides Clear Clarification
Shivakumar addressed reporters directly to clear the air. "I am Karnataka's Congress president, and he is the leader of the opposition," he explained. "These meetings and talks are as per protocol; all this cannot be discussed in public."
He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi simply asked them to continue their good work in the state. "There are no such discussions about changing the chief minister," Shivakumar stated clearly. "Rahul Gandhi has asked us to continue the good work, and we will work accordingly."
Meeting Details and Speculation
The controversy began when Shivakumar shared a picture from his brief meeting with Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru airport on Tuesday. His accompanying cryptic post reading "Even if the effort fails, the prayer does not fail" sparked immediate media buzz about possible political changes.
Congress MLA Ashok Pattan added to the speculation by revealing that Rahul Gandhi had asked both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to visit Delhi. "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi told both of them to go to Delhi," Pattan said. "The date has not been fixed yet. After fixing the date, both of them will go there."
Airport Meeting Timeline
The exclusive interaction unfolded at Mandakalli airport in Mysuru on Tuesday afternoon. Rahul Gandhi arrived around 2 pm while traveling to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu. Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar received him at the airport.
Rahul departed by helicopter within minutes, while the two Karnataka leaders left separately. Later in the day, Rahul returned to Mysuru earlier than expected before heading to Delhi. Shivakumar arrived at the airport ahead of him and held a three-minute one-on-one conversation with Rahul on the tarmac.
Siddaramaiah joined them afterward, and Rahul briefly interacted with both leaders before leaving around 5:45 pm on a special flight. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has denied that any politics were discussed during these interactions.
Background of Leadership Dynamics
This meeting reignited long-standing speculation about Karnataka's leadership. After the Congress party's landslide victory in the 2023 Assembly elections, the party high command faced a difficult choice between two strong contenders for the chief minister position.
Siddaramaiah ultimately received the appointment due to his seniority, extensive administrative experience, and widespread mass appeal. However, political observers widely believed that an internal understanding had been reached within the party.
According to this understanding, Shivakumar would assume the top position midway through the government's five-year term. This background explains why even brief meetings between Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka leaders generate significant political speculation and media attention.
The deputy chief minister's firm denial aims to put these rumors to rest and maintain stability within the state government. Both leaders now appear focused on continuing their work as directed by the party leadership.
