Shivakumar pushes for power

Karnataka’s Congress government was thrown into fresh turbulence on Thursday after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar — silent for two and a half years on the issue — made his sharpest move yet to claim the Chief Minister’s post, triggering a flurry of political activity and leaving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visibly rattled.

- Vinay Madhava Gowda

The day began quietly in Bengaluru, with Shivakumar staying put while a group of MLAs quietly headed to Delhi. By afternoon, the political temperature rose sharply when Siddaramaiah, who was touring Chamarajanagar, abruptly abandoned his engagements and rushed back to the state capital. His camp, blindsided by the sudden mobilisation, scrambled to assess the damage and chalk out its counter-strategy.

The Congress high command appeared equally alarmed. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge quickly flew back to Bengaluru and held immediate discussions with Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh late Friday evening. Siddaramaiah is expected to meet Kharge on Saturday for what is likely to be a decisive round of talks.