Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar In Breakfast Huddle Amid CM Tussle. Will A Settlement Brew Over Coffee?

Karnataka Power Tussle: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived at the residence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for breakfast on Saturday amid the power dispute between them.

The photo of the two leaders sharing plates of upma, idli and kesari bath — Karnataka’s quintessential breakfast trio — sent a subtle signal that relations between them remain smooth.

ಉಪಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಡಿ.ಕೆ.ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರ ಜೊತೆ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗಿನ ಉಪಹಾರ ಸೇವಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ಕೆಲಹೊತ್ತು ಮಾತುಕತೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ. @DKShivakumar pic.twitter.com/7ak3xFjatL

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 29, 2025

Siddaramaiah shared a photo of him and Shivakumar having breakfast on X, saying that both leaders had a brief discussion, while Shivakumar described it as a “productive discussion” focused on the

state’s priorities, adding that they also spoke about “the road ahead.”

Both leaders, whose equations have drawn heightened attention amid talk of internal rivalry, are expected to address the media shortly.

ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರನ್ನು ಇಂದು ಅವರ ಕಾವೇರಿ ನಿವಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಉಪಾಹಾರ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು.

Met Hon’ble CM Shri @siddaramaiah avaru at Cauvery Residence this morning for a breakfast meeting. A productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead. pic.twitter.com/qhe7q5RNvi

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 29, 2025

The development came a day after the Congress’s high command stepped in to end infighting and asked both the leaders to meet in a bid to resolve the crisis.

After the high command’s nudge, Siddaramaiah invited Shivakumar for a meeting over breakfast on Saturday. “The high command had called Shivakumar. They had called me as well. They told both of us to meet and talk. So I invited him for breakfast. When he comes there, we will both discuss everything,” the Chief Minister said.

Issues Would Be Resolved: Parameshwara

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader G Parameshwara sought to downplay the tensions, saying the party’s leadership would “resolve the issue” and that there was “no reason for concern.”

Reaffirming loyalty to the Congress and its central command, Parameshwara noted that differing ambitions among leaders and their supporters were natural in politics. “We cannot stop aspirations—some may want Siddaramaiah, some may want D.K. Shivakumar, some may want me as Chief Minister,” he said, adding that the high command was closely monitoring the situation and would take an appropriate decision to settle any disagreements.

Karnataka Power Tussle

The speculation around the Karnataka leadership change refuses to die down with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reportedly involved in an intense internal power tussle.

Infighting has resurfaced as supporters of both camps push for their leaders to occupy the chief minister’s post—a dispute that began after the Congress’s 2023 Assembly election victory.

However, the party eventually picked Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister. There were reports at the time that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had agreed to a power-sharing arrangement, though the Congress has never officially announced the deal.

Since Siddaramaiah took over as chief minister, MLAs and leaders backing Shivakumar have often demanded a leadership change in the state. This time, however, Shivakumar’s loyalists are more vocal, as Siddaramaiah has completed 2.5 years in office, and they believe he should step aside in line with the alleged power-sharing arrangement.

While Siddaramaiah has time and again stressed that he will complete the full term, Shivakumar’s remarks have indicated that the Congress wants to be tight-lipped about the issue. The two leaders have, however, maintained that they will abide by the final decision of the party high command.

While Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner if a change occurs, other leaders, including Home Minister G Parameshwara, have also shown interest.

A Cabinet reshuffle is expected, leaving the high command to decide whether to retain Siddaramaiah for the 2028 polls or elevate Shivakumar, who played a key role in the party’s 2023 success.

Meanwhile, the party’s high command is likely to take up the issue during the Congress Strategy Group meeting scheduled for the evening of November 30, ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.

Meanwhile, senior leader Veerappa Moily criticised the party’s central leadership for failing to control the situation, warning that continued discord could harm the party in Karnataka.