Truce between CM, Shivakumar lull before storm: Oppn, analysts believe

Truce is a strategic adjustment the opposition, and analysts believe

- NT Correspondent

The ‘truce’ between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar following days of 'shadow boxing" over leadership is temporary, a lull before the storm and a "strategic adjustment", opposition parties and political analysts in Karnataka believe.

The Congress blamed the opposition and media for creating confusion over the issue.

After a month-long power tussle, the two leaders met for over breakfast at Siddaramaiah's residence on Saturday and decided to bury the hatchet.

Also, the two leaders jointly addressed the press later, put up a show of unity and declared they will abide by the party high command. Thus, they sought to put an end to the row over chief minister change, in lines with a rumoured 2023 agreement on Shivakumar's elevation 2.5 years later, i.e. in November 2025.

After the meeting, the CM blamed the media for creating confusion between him and his deputy. He also assured that he would ensure that henceforth all the confusions are sorted out.

Shivakumar stressed that the 2028 assembly election would be fought under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.