Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar End Speculation with Power Breakfast, Signal Smooth Leadership Transition

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday publicly buried a month-long patch of tension, sharing a widely photographed breakfast of idli, upma and kesari bath at the CM’s official residence to send a clear message: the Congress government is united, and there is no rift between its two tallest leaders.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, both leaders downplayed recent speculation about internal discord. “There were some minor misunderstandings over the past month, but everything has been sorted out amicably,” Shivakumar said, adding that their sole focus now is to ensure Congress victories in upcoming local body polls and the crucial 2028 Assembly election.

Siddaramaiah, known for his dry humour, quipped, “I don’t speak while eating,” and revealed that although Shivakumar had first invited him for lunch, he insisted on hosting breakfast instead. “One day I will definitely have lunch at his place,” the Chief Minister added with a smile.

Officials within the party confirmed that the breakfast meeting finalised an understanding for a smooth, drama-free transition of power, with Shivakumar eventually taking over as Chief Minister at an appropriate time. Until then, he will continue as Deputy CM and state Congress president.

Reports also stated the arrangement has the full backing of the party “high command” in Delhi – a term both leaders repeatedly invoked during the interaction. In return for patiently waiting for his turn, Shivakumar’s camp is likely to be rewarded with additional Cabinet berths in an upcoming reshuffle and greater control over party affairs.

The leadership change will be managed carefully to avoid any public embarrassment or damage to party unity in one of the Congress’s few states where it holds power, some reports suggested. Abruptly removing a veteran like Siddaramaiah, the strongest leader of the influential AHINDA (minorities, OBCs, and Dalits) coalition, could prove costly, while sidelining Shivakumar, the most prominent Vokkaliga face, would risk alienating another key vote bank.

Shivakumar is scheduled to travel to New Delhi this evening to brief the central leadership, while Siddaramaiah is expected to stay back in Bengaluru.

With the succession question quietly resolved behind closed doors, the Congress now wants its Karnataka unit to project complete harmony as it prepares for a series of electoral battles culminating in the 2028 state polls.

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