Karnataka Leaders Meet for Breakfast Amid Power Struggle

Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar convened for a breakfast meeting on Saturday to address ongoing tensions over leadership within the Congress Party. The meeting, held at Siddaramaiah’s residence, aimed to reaffirm their commitment to the party’s central leadership amid a growing power struggle for the Chief Minister’s position.

The breakfast, featuring traditional dishes such as idli and sambar, served as a platform for both leaders to discuss the current political climate. Siddaramaiah invited Shivakumar to the meeting as part of an effort to resolve the crisis that has emerged between their factions. Legal advisor to the Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, was also present during the discussions.

Commitment to Party Leadership

During the meeting, Siddaramaiah reiterated his stance, emphasizing that he would respect the decisions made by the Congress high command. “The high command has called both of us, so I have invited him for breakfast, and we will talk there,” he stated. “As I said earlier, I will accept whatever the high command says; there is no change in my stand.” Shivakumar echoed this sentiment, confirming his willingness to follow the central leadership’s directives regarding any potential leadership changes.

The Congress Party is expected to convene a strategy group meeting ahead of the winter session of Parliament scheduled for November 30. Central leaders will discuss the ongoing crisis following this meeting, which will include both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s perspectives.

Opposition Criticism and Future Steps

In response to the internal conflict, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, criticized the Congress leadership in Karnataka. He asserted that the party’s focus on internal issues does not resonate with the public. “Leadership change is their party problem. It is not connected with the people of Karnataka,” Narayanaswamy remarked. He emphasized that the public is primarily concerned with pressing issues, such as the struggles faced by farmers and marginalized communities.

Shivakumar, while addressing reporters in Bengaluru, reaffirmed that any decisions about leadership will come from the party’s high command. He acknowledged that while party supporters may have aspirations for his ascension to the Chief Minister position, he is not rushing into any changes. “The party will take all the decisions,” he noted, leaving the door open for potential discussions with national leadership regarding key issues ahead of the winter parliamentary session.

As the situation unfolds, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have expressed their readiness to abide by the Congress high command’s decisions. The ongoing tug-of-war, rooted in a 2023 power-sharing agreement, has intensified the lobbying efforts from each leader’s supporters for their respective claims to the Chief Minister’s office. The Congress high command, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, is anticipated to make a decisive announcement soon, but for the moment, the focus remains on unity as the party prepares for upcoming challenges.