Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday publicly reaffirmed their unity, insisting there are “no differences” between them and vowing to work together for the 2028 Assembly elections as well as upcoming local body polls. They addressed a joint press conference at the CM’s official residence, Cauvery, after holding a much-watched breakfast meeting earlier in the day.
Siddaramaiah told reporters that any “confusion” about their relationship had been created from outside, stressing that the two leaders had successfully worked together in the 2023 Assembly elections and would continue to do so in the future. Brushing aside questions about an alleged “promise” on power sharing, he said both he and Shivakumar would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command takes and that there was “no difference now, and none in the future”.
On speculation over a leadership tussle and Cabinet reshuffle, Siddaramaiah maintained that MLAs travelling to Delhi did not mean they were rebelling, adding that many had spoken to him on their return and explained their reasons. He said the party high command had asked them to clear the air ahead of the Assembly’s Winter Session, and asserted that there was “no confusion” within the government or the legislature party.
Giving details of the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah said Deputy CM Shivakumar and legal adviser A.S. Ponnanna were present, and that the get-together was held at the suggestion of AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. He added that Shivakumar had invited him for dinner at his residence on another day, signalling that their personal rapport remained intact despite political chatter.
Looking ahead to the Winter Session beginning December 8, the Chief Minister said he and Shivakumar had devised a strategy to take on the BJP and JD(S), accusing the Opposition of spreading “false propaganda”. Dismissing talk of a no-confidence motion as a “futile exercise”, he pointed out that the ruling Congress has 142 MLAs against a combined Opposition strength of 82 and declared that no minister or MLA was working against the government.
Echoing the Chief Minister’s remarks, Shivakumar reiterated that both leaders were “loyal soldiers” of the Congress who would fully comply with whatever the party leadership decides on the question of leadership. He underlined that their shared focus is on governance and ensuring the party’s return to power in 2028, stating that they would move forward together under the guidance of the high command.
(Inputs from IANS)