Shivakumar’s recent Delhi remarks added fuel to the fire. He disclosed private talks with Siddaramaiah alongside top party brass, teasing future revelations. Suresh echoed this sentiment on Wednesday, projecting calm amid the storm and suggesting patience for the unfolding plan.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pushed back against relentless media probing. Frustrated, he declared adherence to any high command verdict and scolded journalists for harping on the same topic. ‘Ask those making statements, not me,’ he snapped, redirecting scrutiny while confirming departmental huddles and an upcoming budget timeline.

On legislators’ overseas jaunts, Siddaramaiah clarified they foot their own bills. Shivakumar, fielding questions in the capital, maintained his signature refrain about time revealing truths, sidestepping details on Suresh’s endorsement. This saga gains urgency with Shivakumar loyalists clamoring for central intervention to clarify the ambiguous leadership road ahead.

The pre-election promise of power alternation, once a rallying cry, now tests the party’s unity. Shivakumar’s allusions to sealed understandings keep the intrigue alive, positioning this as a pivotal moment for Karnataka’s Congress machinery. Observers eye the high command’s next move, which could either soothe or shatter the fragile equilibrium.

This intervention arrives against a backdrop of intensifying whispers about a leadership transition. Ever since Congress stormed to power last year, Shivakumar’s name has frequently surfaced as a potential successor to Siddaramaiah. Yet, the seasoned politician refrained from fueling the fire, instead stressing the need for party cohesion.

Shivakumar recounted his pivotal role in the electoral triumph, from fundraising to grassroots mobilization. ‘Every leader has their responsibilities. I’ve done mine without complaint,’ he said, subtly reminding the high command of his sacrifices. He also cautioned against media-driven narratives that could embolden the BJP and JD(S) opposition.

Observers interpret this as a deft maneuver in the high-stakes game of succession politics. With caste dynamics playing a crucial role—Shivakumar representing the powerful Vokkaliga community and Siddaramaiah the Kurubas—the balance remains delicate. Shivakumar dismissed rumors of MLA rebellions, vowing to maintain discipline.

Shifting gears, he spotlighted the Congress government’s achievements: free electricity for millions, enhanced irrigation projects, and industrial incentives. ‘Karnataka is progressing under our rule. Let’s keep the focus there,’ Shivakumar urged.

As national leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi keep a watchful eye, Shivakumar’s appeal underscores the Congress’s emphasis on unity. Whether this quiets the murmurs or merely delays the inevitable showdown is yet to be seen, but for now, the message is clear: internal laundry stays in-house.

During the meeting, Shivakumar, along with his brother and former MP D.K. Suresh, welcomed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Following their discussions, CM Siddaramaiah addressed the media, stating, “There are no differences. D.K. Shivakumar and I are united. We are running the government. In the future also, we will run the government unitedly.” This statement aims to quell ongoing rumors of discord.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara acknowledged the recent stir, suggesting that differing aspirations are natural and are expressed at appropriate times. He characterized the breakfast meeting as a positive development, emphasizing the need for a “peaceful settlement.” Parameshwara noted that the meeting, initiated by Siddaramaiah and reciprocated by Shivakumar, signifies a smooth progression, with all issues being resolved according to the high command’s guidance.

This gathering follows a previous high-level meeting on November 29th at Siddaramaiah’s residence. That earlier discussion was described as “productive” and focused on Karnataka’s future priorities, though it was also viewed as an effort to de-escalate internal power struggle tensions. The reported “power-sharing agreement” from 2023 is often cited as the root of these persistent rumors and the need for repeated dialogues between the leaders to prevent a political crisis.

Following the high command’s advice, Siddaramaiah has extended an invitation to Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting scheduled for Saturday morning. His itinerary for the day has been cleared to facilitate this crucial discussion. While the invitation has been made, Shivakumar’s immediate response remains unconfirmed.

AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal has personally engaged with both leaders, urging them to find a resolution amongst themselves and then communicate their decision to the party’s central leadership. This approach is intended to prevent further internal discord and potential embarrassment for the party.

Sources indicate that if the bilateral talks prove successful, a planned joint visit to Delhi to seek a resolution from the national leadership will likely be canceled. However, should the leaders fail to reach an agreement, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are expected to be summoned to Delhi for further deliberations. The Chief Minister has affirmed his commitment to abiding by the high command’s final decision, a stance reportedly echoed by Shivakumar.

The leadership tussle has been marked by public statements and competing claims from both factions, highlighting the underlying tension. The party’s immediate objective is to foster discipline and project a unified image as it prepares for upcoming political challenges.

A Digambar Jain monk, Gunadhara Nandi, along with 18 other senior monks of the Jain order blessed Shivakumar to become the next CM.

He added that he never went after any post and focused on performing his duties.”I am not in a hurry,” he quipped.

At the time of Congress coming to power in May 2023, there were reports about a pact that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would head the state for the first two and half years and Shivakumar would be the CM for the rest of the term.

While some Vokkaliga leaders started a campaign to make Shivakumar as chief minister, Jarkiholi, who is considered close to Siddaramaiah, underlined the need for a ‘full time Congress state president’.

“We ministers are not able to focus on our party works and there is a need for a full time Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president,” Jarkiholi had recently said.

His statement came a day after the Congress Legislative Party meeting where the Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala conveyed the party high command’s direction that no one should speak a word on touchy issues like change of guard in the state, replacing the Congress president, cabinet expansion and revoking guarantees.

Within the party circle, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s message during the ‘Gandhi Bharat’ convention in Belagavi became a talking point.

Kharge on Tuesday called upon the leaders to learn from former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s sacrifice in 2004. She sacrificed the prime ministerial position and gave the coveted post to late Manmohan Singh, he said.