Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar during a breakfast meeting in Bengaluru on December 2. Photo: PTI
Breakfast Diplomacy 2.0: Sidda, DKS make another show of unity over idli-chicken meal
After breakfast together at the CM’s home 3 days ago, the Karnataka CM and Deputy CM meet again at the latter’s residence to show unity amid speculation about a leadership tussle
In an apparent display of unity, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday (December 2) visited his deputy DK Shivakumar's residence for breakfast, just days after the two broke bread in the wake of a raging power tussle.
Siddaramaiah drove down to the Deputy CM's Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother and former Congress MP DK Suresh. The breakfast, prepared at Shivakumar’s home, included dosa, upma, naati chicken (country chicken), idli, and coffee.
Though this is being projected as a reciprocal visit, after Shivakumar visited the CM's official residence three days ago for a similar breakfast meeting, the political ramifications of it are being keenly watched, as it is taking place as per the directions of the Congress high command.
DKS blames media for creating ‘confusion’
Stating that both he and the CM continue to work together as a team, Shivakumar on Monday (December 1) said he had invited Siddaramaiah for breakfast to discuss and strengthen their collective efforts to deliver on the promises to Karnataka.
He also said that they both were "working like brothers", while asserting that there were no groups in the state Congress, and blamed the media for creating confusion.
Also Read: 'No leadership change now': Siddaramaiah, DKS after breakfast meeting
Following the initial breakfast meeting on Saturday (November 29) at the CM's official residence, as part of an attempt by the Congress high command to break the logjam over the leadership row involving the two leaders, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had publicly stated that "there won't be any confusion".
On the leadership issue, the two had maintained that they would obey the high command.
Pause in leadership tussle
The development is seen as a move by the high command to pause the leadership tussle between the two, and signals Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session from December 8.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
Also Read: 'Just a pause, not a settlement': Decoding Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar truce
The speculation was fuelled by talks of a 'power-sharing' agreement said to have been arrived at when the party was elected to power in 2023.
(With agency inputs)