Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar Maintain Unity
On Saturday, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted claims of leadership changes and differences with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, asserting that their relationship is strong and harmonious. Shivakumar also emphasized the importance of unity within the Congress state unit, reiterating his commitment to follow the directives of the party leadership and asserting that there are no internal factions within the party.
BJP’s Criticism of Congress Leaders
In response, the BJP has taken a jab at the situation. National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala remarked that the meeting was not merely a breakfast gathering but rather a ‘breakup meeting’ aimed at mending their differences. He criticized the Congress, stating that while they claim there are no issues, party leaders like Kharge have acknowledged the need to address several problems. Poonawala further noted that the public of Karnataka was absent from this political breakfast, which was more about politics than the people’s concerns.
Ongoing Tensions Between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar
Tensions between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been evident for some time. It is believed that during the 2023 Karnataka elections, Congress considered a formula allowing both leaders to share the chief ministerial role, each serving a five-year term. With Siddaramaiah having completed half of his term, there are growing demands from Shivakumar’s camp for him to be appointed to the top position for the remaining duration.
