‘We are loyal foot soldiers of the party’: DK Shivakumar says unity intact with CM Siddaramaiah

The Congress party led Karnataka Government will likely start to breathe normally again from Saturday as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar have put all speculations of a power struggle at rest. Following a much-anticipated breakfast meeting between the two Congress heavyweights at the Chief Minister’s residence, DK Shivakumar reaffirmed his loyalty to the party high command and sought to end speculation over a leadership rift. 

“We abide by the high command,” Shivakumar said in a statement following the meeting, which comes amid a month-long churn within the ruling party over power-sharing. “Today, I and the Hon’ble Chief Minister had a breakfast meeting. The CM will be coming to my house for lunch or dinner in the next few days as well. We have joined together and worked together.”

Shivakumar emphasised that both leaders were united in their focus on governance and fulfilling the party’s guarantees. “The workers of the state have supported us, and the people of Karnataka have blessed us with a massive mandate. Whatever promises we have given, it is our bound duty to deliver them,” he said. “It is our responsibility to fulfil every commitment made to our people.”

The meeting also touched on political strategy ahead of a critical year for the ruling party. “We discussed the strategy for 2028 and the upcoming Assembly session from December 8. We are fully prepared to tackle and answer the opposition,” Shivakumar said, referring to the BJP’s warning of a possible no-confidence motion.

He reiterated that any decision on leadership would rest solely with the party’s central leadership. “As far as the leadership issue is concerned, we will go by the decision of the party high command. We have always been loyal soldiers of the party. We are confident that Karnataka will play a major role. We will repeat government in 2028 and move forward in 2029 as well under the leadership of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi.”