'We are united': Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar reject leadership-change buzz

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar said there were no differences between them, attempting to end speculation over a possible leadership shift in the state

In an attempt to put to rest speculation over a leadership tussle in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, are united and are running the government in complete harmony.

 

After a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence in Bengaluru, their second such meeting in four days, Siddaramaiah said, "There are no differences. DK Shivakumar and I are united. We run the government unitedly. In the future also we will run the government unitedly."

 

What sparked the speculations?

The meeting comes amid sustained speculation over a possible leadership change in the state as the Congress government crossed the midway point of its five-year term on November 20. A purported power-sharing understanding from 2023 has fuelled conversations around whether Shivakumar will take over as CM.

 

  

Amid this chatter, over a dozen Congress MLAs reportedly met All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge last month to back Shivakumar as CM. Following this, Siddaramaiah also had a meeting with Kharge, reportedly to discuss the issue.