Thaw in Karnataka power tussle? Siddaramaiah invites DK Shivakumar for bilateral talks over breakfast

Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has invited his deputy DK Shivakumar for breakfast on Saturday as per the directions of the High Command.

“The High Command had telephoned both of us and asked us to meet. So, I called him for breakfast. When he comes, we will discuss. There’s no change in my stand, I will stand by what the High Command says. I will say it now, and will reiterate the same tomorrow,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.

The chief minister noted that both he and Shivakumar had claimed multiple times that they will abide by the directions of the High Command.

Siddaramaiah’s remark comes at a time when it’s believed that the High Command may summon both the chief minister and his deputy to Delhi on Sunday to discuss the issue.

When asked if he would go the Delhi, Siddaramaiah said he “would go if called.”

The expected meeting on Saturday between the two assumes significance as it comes just before the Parliament Session beginning on December 1.

The Winter Session of the Karnataka Legislature will begin on December 8 in Belagavi.

Earlier on Friday, senior Congress leaders BK Hariprasad and KH Muniyappa, both considered to be close to the High Command, told reporters that the High Command should speak to the leaders and resolve the issue.