Overview
- On December 2, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s Bengaluru residence for a reciprocal breakfast, and both leaders said there were no differences and that they will accept whatever Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge decide.
- Multiple outlets reported that the talks produced no breakthrough, leaving the leadership question unresolved and the outcome deferred to the party’s central leadership.
- The two said their immediate focus is the Belagavi winter session starting December 8, discussing strategy for a possible no-confidence motion and farmer issues including MSP for maize and sugarcane, with plans to brief Karnataka MPs in Delhi the same day.
- Pressure for a transition has been fueled by reports of an unconfirmed 2023 power-sharing understanding and lobbying by Shivakumar’s supporters, even as both camps publicly project cohesion.
- Party leaders and insiders indicated consultations in Delhi are likely after the current Parliament session ends on December 19, with Siddaramaiah noting a meeting with K C Venugopal on December 3 and decisions on portfolios and party posts resting with the high command.