The Congress party’s central leadership has intervened to address the simmering leadership crisis in Karnataka, directing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar to hold direct talks. The outcome of their discussion is to be communicated to the high command.
Siddaramaiah has formally invited Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting on Saturday, a move prompted by the central leadership’s directive. This meeting is seen as a critical step towards de-escalating the political tensions that have surfaced regarding the state’s top leadership positions.
K.C. Venugopal, a key AICC functionary, has reportedly spoken with both leaders, encouraging them to resolve their differences internally before presenting a consolidated decision to the party’s national leaders. This bilateral approach is designed to streamline the resolution process and avoid further public disagreements.
Should the meeting between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar yield a mutual understanding, it could avert a trip to Delhi for further discussions. Conversely, failure to reconcile their positions might necessitate an urgent summons to the national capital. Both leaders have publicly stated their willingness to adhere to the high command’s ultimate decision, emphasizing party discipline.
The ongoing leadership debate has seen public statements from both camps, creating an impasse that has now prompted the central intervention. The party aims to present a united front, crucial for navigating future political landscapes.