Siddaramaiah–Shivakumar Hold Productive Talks to Strengthen Leadership Unity

Bengaluru, Nov 2025 : A much-anticipated breakfast meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar concluded on Saturday at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Cauvery, amid heightened political interest and expectations of clarity on Karnataka’s leadership crisis. Both leaders later took to social media to share updates, with Shivakumar calling the interaction “productive,” while Siddaramaiah described it as a brief but meaningful discussion.

CM Siddaramaiah posted on X, “I had breakfast and held a brief discussion with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar,” attaching photographs of the meeting. Shivakumar wrote, “Met Hon’ble CM Shri Siddaramaiah ji at Cauvery residence this morning for a breakfast meeting. A productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead.” The cordial public statements, however, came against the backdrop of a growing confrontation within the state Congress over the Chief Minister’s post.

According to sources, both leaders are likely to address a joint press conference later in the day. The meeting was convened after explicit directions from the Congress high command, which instructed both leaders to first engage directly and then convey the outcome of their discussions regarding the leadership issue.

The political atmosphere around the meeting was charged. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy reacted sharply to the development, remarking, “The drama is unfolding and we are waiting for the results. People gave Congress 140 seats, but what has the Congress done in the last two-and-a-half years? Do they care about the people? There is no need to even discuss this government.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, labelled the meeting a superficial attempt to resolve deep-seated differences. “This is a tussle between CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar. Ever since this conflict began, their relationship has been damaged. A breakfast meeting will not resolve the crisis. There is an issue between them and they cannot resolve it on their own. Intervention from a third party — the high command — is needed, but even the high command seems helpless,” he said. Narayanaswamy alleged that the Congress central leadership had failed to address the power struggle effectively. “If they had the capacity, they would have resolved this earlier. They have remained silent because they cannot afford to lose either of them,” he claimed.

Deputy CM Shivakumar arrived at Siddaramaiah’s residence in the morning, telling reporters briefly, “I will speak later; I am going to CM Siddaramaiah’s residence.” The meeting has stirred significant political discussion, with many viewing it as a decisive step towards resolving the ongoing leadership deadlock.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara attempted to downplay the situation, asserting that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were working together and attending programmes jointly. “We are together, and I don’t understand the importance being attached to this meeting. The media is speculating. We are not seeing any major developments within the party regarding a leadership change,” he said. He added that the high command merely sought clarity and that if differences existed, the meeting would help resolve them. “We often meet for dinner and breakfast. If this meeting helps resolve differences, it is a good development,” he remarked.

Parameshwara also dismissed speculation regarding any impending visit to Delhi, saying, “We have never said that we will go to Delhi. If there is a necessity, we will go. For now, there is no such necessity.”

The breakfast meeting assumes significance amid an intense leadership crisis that has placed the Karnataka Congress under scrutiny. Preparations at the CM’s residence reflected the high-stakes nature of the dialogue. The high command has firmly instructed both leaders not to proceed to Delhi with unresolved issues, stressing that they must travel together only after reaching a mutual understanding.

In their first formal step to quell the crisis, Congress national leaders asked Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to meet and communicate the outcome of their discussion. AICC general secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal has spoken to both leaders, urging them to resolve the matter internally before the high command intervenes.

Sources within the party indicate that if Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reach a consensus, a joint visit to Delhi may be cancelled, preventing further embarrassment for the party. However, should the talks fail, the high command is expected to summon both leaders to Delhi on Sunday, November 30, where a final decision might be taken at a meeting chaired by Sonia Gandhi.

Speaking to the media earlier, Siddaramaiah confirmed that the meeting was held on the directions of the high command. “The high command has asked us to first meet among ourselves. Then we have been summoned to Delhi. That is why I invited him for a breakfast meeting,” he said. On the leadership issue, he repeated his long-held position: “I have already stated that I will abide by the decision of the high command. I stand by that statement today and will stand by it tomorrow as well.”

He added that Shivakumar had also expressed his willingness to follow the high command’s decision. “Whenever we are called, both of us will go to Delhi,” Siddaramaiah said.

The meeting has therefore become a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape, as Congress leadership attempts to restore unity and bring clarity to Karnataka’s governance.