Speculation about a power struggle in Karnataka resurfaced after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a pointed remark following his meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. His comments, though indirect, were seen by many as a subtle dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
After the meeting, Shivakumar told reporters that he has always believed in action rather than speeches. “I didn’t just sit on the stage and give speeches; I’ve done every kind of work in the party,” he said. The statement quickly drew attention amid ongoing discussions about leadership dynamics within the Karnataka Congress.
Shivakumar described himself as a lifelong Congress worker, saying his commitment to the party remains unchanged regardless of the position he holds. He recalled his early years in the organisation, when he put up posters, tied party flags, and even cleaned garbage. According to him, these tasks were not limited to his early days but continued even when he served as a party president.
He stressed that for him, titles do not matter. “Whatever post I hold, I will still be a party worker,” Shivakumar said, underlining his roots in grassroots politics and organisational work.
Clarifying the purpose of his visit to Kharge’s residence, Shivakumar said the discussion focused only on the Centre’s decision to make changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He said they talked about how the proposed changes could affect people in rural areas and how the Congress should respond.
According to Shivakumar, the party is planning to organise a strong protest against the Centre’s move. He said the aim is to build enough pressure so that the BJP-led government is forced to reconsider or reverse its decision. He firmly denied discussing any internal leadership issues during the meeting.
“There is no need for me to discuss anything else,” he said, adding that both he and Siddaramaiah have already agreed to follow whatever decision the Congress high command takes. He repeated that there is no disagreement on this point.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to travel to Delhi on December 27 to attend a Congress Working Committee meeting. Shivakumar said he has not been invited to the meeting so far, but added that he would attend if asked.
Despite repeated public statements of unity, Shivakumar’s latest remarks have once again fuelled political chatter about leadership equations within the Karnataka Congress, keeping the spotlight firmly on the state’s top leaders.
