No differences, focus is on polls: K’taka CM, DyCM after meeting

Just as we worked together in 2023, we have decided to move forward together, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday, soon after meeting his deputy DK Shivakumar over breakfast amid speculations of a leadership tussle. The Opposition BJP and JD(S), however, questioned the “truce”, saying normalcy may not be possible after months of tension between the two Congress leaders.

- Arun Dev

“I had a breakfast meeting with Shivakumar because some unwanted confusion was created. It was created by the media...We don’t have differences...From tomorrow, there will be no confusion. Even now, none exists...,” the CM said while addressing a press conference at his official residence Kaveri.

The breakfast meeting was hosted by the CM at the behest of the Congress high command days after the two senior leaders had a figurative exchange of “words” on promises and power with Shivakumar making a cryptic reference to his claim on Monday about a “secret deal” anchored by the Congress leadership after the party came to power in Karnataka in 2023.

The CM was apparently supposed to relinquish his post to his deputy after two-and-a-half years, Siddaramaiah completed two-and-a-half years on November 20 and Shivakumar's supporters have been claiming that it is time for him to keep his “promise” to leave the post.

On Saturday, both leaders said they discussed long-term political planning, particularly the 2028 assembly elections and forthcoming local body polls. “We decided that Congress must return to power in 2028,” Siddaramaiah said, adding, “Just as we worked together in 2023, we have decided to move forward together.”