No Plan to Meet High Command Now, Says DK Shivakumar Amid Karnataka Leadership Buzz

Bangalore, Dec 2025 : Amid renewed speculation over leadership dynamics within the Karnataka Congress, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday clarified that he has no intention of meeting the party high command during his brief visit to the national capital.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar said senior party leaders were currently preoccupied with the ongoing Parliament session and he did not wish to disturb them. “Our leaders are busy with the Parliament session. I do not want to trouble them at this time. I will return to Bengaluru on Thursday morning,” he said, seeking to downplay political interpretations surrounding his visit.

Explaining the purpose of his trip, Shivakumar said he had come to Delhi primarily to attend a wedding ceremony. He also revealed that the Congress party has decided to mobilise 10,000 people from Karnataka for a protest rally scheduled on December 14. “As Karnataka Congress president, it is my responsibility to oversee the planning and preparations for the rally,” he said.

On being asked about the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting slated for December 8, Shivakumar said officials at the state level had been instructed to keep all relevant documents ready. “We must present our views before the CWC. Otherwise, the meeting will get postponed. Six months’ time has been given for this,” he noted.

Shivakumar also spoke about his recent breakfast meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stressing that the discussion focused on governance and party organisation. “We discussed several matters, including how to collectively take Karnataka forward and issues related to strengthening the party,” he said.

Slogan Controversy at Mangaluru Airport

The political temperature rose earlier in the day after pro-Shivakumar slogans were raised at Mangaluru International Airport in the presence of AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, causing an awkward moment for the party leadership. The scene became more charged after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived and was accorded state honours by the district administration.

Supporters of Siddaramaiah retaliated by raising slogans in his favour, creating a brief spectacle and adding fuel to speculation about an internal power struggle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka.

Reacting to the incident, Shivakumar defended his supporters and urged restraint in interpreting the slogan-raising as a leadership challenge. “Supporters have been chanting ‘DK, DK’ for the last 10 years. There is nothing new in this. It should be taken in a sporting spirit,” he said.

“In politics, there will be slogans both for and against leaders. Some chant in Modi’s name, some shout ‘Rahul, Rahul’, and some say ‘Siddu, Siddu’. People express affection in their own way. There is nothing wrong with that,” he added.

He stressed that slogans should not be over-politicised. “Admirers raise slogans. We cannot bother too much about it,” Shivakumar said.

Delhi Schedule and Possible Informal Interactions

According to his official itinerary, Shivakumar will attend the wedding ceremony at Hotel Le Meridien and stay overnight in Delhi. He is scheduled to depart the capital at 8 a.m. on Thursday and reach Bengaluru by 10.55 a.m.

However, political circles are abuzz with speculation that Shivakumar may informally meet national leaders during the wedding event or his overnight stay. Sources indicated that he could attempt to interact with senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, to discuss issues related to Karnataka’s leadership and future strategy.

All-Party Meeting Postponed

Shivakumar also announced that the proposed all-party meeting scheduled for December 8 in New Delhi has been postponed due to logistical challenges and parliamentary commitments of several leaders.

“We will speak to opposition leaders, Union Ministers, and MPs from Karnataka and announce a suitable date soon,” he said.

He explained that Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V. Somanna both have important review meetings on the same day and will be unable to attend. He also pointed out that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present a crucial Bill in Parliament.

“I spoke to Pralhad Joshi. He informed me that he cannot attend as the Prime Minister will also be participating in an important meeting that day. The purpose of our meeting is to bring together opposition leaders, MPs, and Union Ministers on one platform so that Karnataka speaks in one voice for the welfare of the state,” Shivakumar said.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi later confirmed that due to the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament and heavy official responsibilities, he would not be able to attend the meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar added that once the meeting is rescheduled, MPs will be briefed on the key issues they need to raise in Parliament, and clear leadership will be assigned for each subject.

Watch Row and Internal Differences

Responding to BJP criticism over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allegedly wearing a watch worth Rs 43 lakh, Shivakumar dismissed the claim outright. “Who said the watch is worth Rs 43 lakh? Seven or eight years ago, it cost around Rs 24 lakh when I bought it. How can it now be Rs 43 lakh?” he asked.

He added that on the day of their breakfast meeting, it was only later that they realised both he and the Chief Minister happened to be wearing watches from the same company.

When questioned about whether the government’s internal issues had been resolved, Shivakumar replied firmly, “There was never any confusion. It is the media that created the confusion.”

His remarks come at a time when political observers continue to closely track developments within the Karnataka Congress, amid persistent speculation about leadership equations at the top.

Team Maverick.