If highcommand calls ...: D K Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah show united front amid power tussle; inside breakfast meet 2.0

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar on Tuesday projected a strong display of unity after their second breakfast meeting at Deputy CMs residence, declaring that they would run the government together, amid escalating leadership tussle within the Congress.

Addressing the joint press briefing, Siddaramaiah said a meeting with the party high command was also likely soon. When asked about the possibility of Shivakumar becoming chief minister, he responded, When the High Command says.

There are no differences. Me and DK Shivakumar are united. We will run the government together in the future as well. All our MLAs are united, and unitedly we will face the opposition. We are in the same party, we follow the same ideology, and we work together. In the future, too, both of us will work together and bring the party back to power, he said, setting a confident tone of unity, downplaying the speculated leadership conflict.

This unity is not something new today; we have always been united. Whatever decision Rahul Gandhi makes, we will act accordingly; that is what I have said, he added, reiterating that their partnership was not new.

Also read: Karnataka power tussle still unsettled, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah hold meet again

Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumars residence for breakfast 2.0, a gesture seen as an attempt to ease tensions just days after the two senior Congress leaders held a similar meeting at the chief ministers CMs Cauvery residence for a similar breakfast meeting on Saturday.

Their first breakfast meet featured traditional Idli-Sambar and Upma spread, while DK Shivakumar hosted Siddaramaiah with steaming plates of traditional Nati chicken and Idlis.

The outreach comes after the Congress high command nudged both leaders to present a united front ahead of the Belagavi legislature session starting December 8.

Discussions on MSP, assembly session and party issues

Siddaramaiah said the two discussed issues affecting farmers, including MSP for maize and sugarcane. After breakfast, we discussed the assembly session. It was decided that we should call a meeting of the MLAs on December 8. We will discuss farmers issues and other issues of the state.

We discussed party-related matters. More importantly, the Assembly session is starting next Monday. They said they will bring a no-confidence motion. Our government is pro-farmer. We also discussed issues related to maize and sugarcane. I have spoken to the farmers, and the government has decided the price. I have also spoken to farmers, poultry farmers and fishery farmers, the CM further noted.

Also read: DK Shivakumar invites Siddaramaiah for meet, CM says he will go if called

The Karnataka chief minister further said that, both the senior leaders will accept the decision taken by the high command, especially Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge.

If they (the party high command) call us (to Delhi), we will definitely go. Tomorrow I am meeting KC Venugopal at a function where both of us are invited, he added reaffirming loyalty to the leadership.

Shivakumar also affirmed the governments commitment towards development in the state saying, Honoured to welcome the Honble Chief Minister to my residence today. We stand committed to the development of Karnataka and the progress of our people.

Honoured to welcome the Honble Chief Minister to my residence today. We stand committed to the development of Karnataka and the progress of our people, he wrote in a separate post on X.

BJP mocks Breakfast diplomacy 2.0

Taking a swipe at the Congress leaders, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said Karnataka had become a stage for political theatrics.

This is just a teaser, the full picture showing Congress’s condition will release soon… If the CM and Dy CM are engaged in breakfast meetings, then when will they work for the welfare of the people? ‘Karnataka ka natak’ should finish soon, he said.

The display of unity comes amid intense speculation of a leadership change after the government completed half of its five-year term on November 20.

Talk of a 2023 power-sharing formula, where Siddaramaiah would serve 2.5 years before handing over the CM post to Shivakumar has fueled tensions, though neither leader has acknowledged such an agreement and the party has never confirmed it.

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