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Amid the ongoing power struggle in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said everything is fine within the state unit of the Congress and refuted claims of differences between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shivakumar said he was well aware of his “limitations” as Karnataka Congress president. He also shared that the sole focus of the party is to formulate the strategy for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.
He said, “There are no differences between me and the CM. Being the party president, I know my limits. I have not made any comment or expressed differences with the CM anywhere. We are all working together.”
“The people of Karnataka have a lot of aspirations and we are committed to working for them,” he said.
Sharing Congress’ vision for the 2028 elections, Shivakumar said, “Our target is 2028 and 2029, and we are working towards it. The CM and I will chalk out a strategy.”
He said that the Chief Minister of Karnataka wants to call an all-party meeting on various issues.
Although Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar intended to send a message of harmony, the opposition dismissed the meeting as a “make-up over the breakup”, alleging that the leaders were merely attempting to hide their internal differences with a show of solidarity.
Speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka intensified on November 20, when the Siddaramaiah-led government completed half its term.
Current CM Siddaramaiah, citing the mandate given by the people of Karnataka, insisted that he will complete his five-year term. He stressed his commitment to fulfill the party’s promises, including the five guarantee schemes.
Shivakumar, on the other hand, is pushing for a leadership change citing a “secret agreement” among senior leaders that he should take over as CM after 2.5 years.
The high command, led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, is expected to take a decision soon. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have expressed their willingness to abide by the party’s decision.
The tussle over the 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has prompted loyalists from each side to lobby for their leaders’ claims to the top post in the state.
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