Karnataka CM Power Struggle: Why Is DK Shivakumar Treading Carefully After a Brief Rahul Gandhi Meet?
Bengaluru: The long-simmering power equation between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has once again come into sharp focus, with renewed speculation over leadership arrangements within the Congress government.
For several months, political circles have been abuzz with talk of an informal two-and-a-half-year power-sharing understanding between the two leaders. With Siddaramaiah completing roughly half of the term, internal discussions within the party are believed to have intensified.
At the centre of this political churn is the role of the Congress high command. While the Gandhi family remains the formal authority, it is widely perceived that the party’s political direction now rests largely with Rahul Gandhi.
Against this backdrop, Rahul Gandhi’s brief stop at Mysuru Airport, while en route to Tamil Nadu, attracted attention. DK Shivakumar received him and held a short interaction, which immediately triggered political speculation. However, sources indicate that the meeting was courtesy-driven and devoid of any substantive political discussion.
Those close to the developments say Shivakumar had hoped for a more detailed conversation on Karnataka’s political future. Instead, he is now expected to wait for a formal call from Delhi, underscoring that any major decision will emanate from the party leadership.
An important dimension of this episode is Shivakumar’s carefully calibrated political conduct. Over the past several days, he has repeatedly described himself as a “disciplined and dedicated party worker.” According to insiders, this is not mere rhetoric but a conscious strategy.
Shivakumar is believed to be acutely aware that even a minor misstep could jeopardise decades of political groundwork. As a result, he is proceeding with extreme caution—avoiding public pressure tactics, steering clear of confrontational statements, and signalling unwavering loyalty to the party line.
The brief airport meeting may not have yielded immediate answers, but it has reinforced one reality: the final call on Karnataka’s leadership question is yet to be taken. Until then, Shivakumar appears determined to play a long game—patient, measured, and firmly within the boundaries of party discipline.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜಕೀಯ: ರಾಹುಲ್ ಗಾಂಧಿ–DK ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ಭೇಟಿಯಿಂದ ಸಿಎಂ ಸ್ಥಾನ ಚರ್ಚೆಗೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ವೇಗ
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