NEW DELHI: Just as the Congress government in Karnataka crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are making a renewed show of unity amid an escalating leadership tussle.Siddaramaiah is expected to visit Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast on December 2, a gesture seen as an attempt to ease tensions just days after the two leaders held a similar meeting at the chief minister’s home. Shivakumar on Monday extended an invitation to the CM to join him for breakfast, and posted on X saying, “Me and the CM continue to work together as a team. I have invited the Hon’ble CM for breakfast tomorrow to discuss and strengthen our collective efforts to deliver on our promises to Karnataka.”His comments came after Siddaramaiah told reporters “that day (Saturday) he (Shivakumar) asked me to come to his house for breakfast on Tuesday. I have not received any call till now…”“If invited, I will go. He may call. I think he will invite me,” he added.The outreach comes as part of efforts to break the leadership deadlock between the two. Just two days earlier, Shivakumar had visited the CM’s residence for a similar breakfast meeting called by Siddaramaiah on the high command’s instructions. This comes after strong nudges from the Congress high command to settle differences and present a united front ahead of the Belagavi legislature session beginning December 8. Siddaramaiah said the pair had decided to present a united face until the high command takes up the matter, likely after the winter session.Following the Breakfast meet, Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone well. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us ( CM, deputy CM and advisor) enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to put an end to the confusion. Our mission is very clear — local elections are very important, and for the 2028 elections we are ensuring that Congress comes back to power. There is no difference between me and DKS — not now, not before.”He added “The media has created this confusion. From tomorrow, let there be no confusion.” He reiterated that both leaders would abide by the direction of the Congress high command, saying, “What the high command says, we will listen to and abide by.”Siddaramaiah added that the Assembly session beginning December 8 would be conducted smoothly and that the party would “fight BJP and JD(S) together.” Shivakumar, echoed the same stating that, “People have shown great trust and given a massive mandate to us. It is our duty to deliver to the people of Karnataka… Both of us have full trust in our leadership. One word from the high command, if they tell me to wait, I will wait. Both of us will follow whatever the high command says.”He added, “Whatever the CM says, I agree with him. We will not allow outsiders to interfere.”The show of unity comes amid intense speculation over a possible leadership change when the government completed half of its term. Rumours were fuelled by talk of a 2023 “power-sharing” understanding under which Siddaramaiah would serve 2.5 years and Shivakumar would lead the remaining tenure, a deal neither leader has openly acknowledged, and which the party has never confirmed.While Siddaramaiah maintains he will complete the full five-year term, Shivakumar’s camp has pushed for the alleged rotational formula. The high command is now working to keep both leaders aligned to avoid instability in the state.For now, the Congress leadership appears to have brought peace, at least temporarily with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar publicly committing to unity and discipline as the government enters a crucial second phase of its tenure.
