Karnataka chief minister power tussle has escalated into a significant political crisis that threatens the stability of the state government. The recent breakfast meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar on Saturday, November 29, 2025, was supposed to ease tensions and provide clarity. However, sources suggest the discussion hit an impasse, leaving the future leadership arrangement in limbo.
This Karnataka chief minister power tussle stems from an unofficial understanding within the Congress party made during the 2023 election campaign. According to party insiders, DK Shivkum
Understanding the 2023 Congress Agreement
The root of the Karnataka chief minister power tussle lies in a complex 2023 election agreement made within Congress party leadership. During the state assembly elections campaign that year, internal Congress party circles were buzzing with discussions about leadership rotation. This unofficial understanding between senior Congress leaders created expectations that were never formally documented or publicly acknowledged.
According to multiple reports from political analysts and Congress insiders, Siddaramaiah was meant to serve as chief minister initially, with a planned transition after 2.5 years. However, no formal written agreement was ever signed or officially registered with party leadership. This ambiguous arrangement has since become the flashpoint for the current power struggle.
DK Shivkumar, who served as deputy chief minister under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, believed he had a clear understanding that he would transition to chief minister once Siddaramaiah completed his initial tenure. The Congress party’s organizational structure and internal politics meant this arrangement was treated as a gentleman’s agreement rather than a binding contract.
Siddaramaiah’s Position and Arguments
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has maintained that there was no formal agreement regarding a fixed timeline for leadership transition. In his public statements and through party sources, Siddaramaiah has emphasized that the continuation of his leadership was essential for the stability of the Karnataka government.
Siddaramaiah’s position is supported by several arguments presented in political circles. First, he argues that the Congress party in Karnataka needed consistent leadership to counter opposition from the BJP and manage internal party dynamics. Second, he points to his electoral popularity and the fact that many Congress workers and voters view him as the public face of the party’s government in the state.
Third, Siddaramaiah emphasizes the developmental work his government has undertaken and argues that changing leadership mid-term would disrupt important projects and policy initiatives. His supporters within Congress also argue that such transitions should be based on merit and organizational needs rather than time-based rotations.
DK Shivkumar’s Perspective and Claims
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar has taken a contrasting stance on the Karnataka chief minister power tussle. As a powerful Congress leader with significant organizational influence in Karnataka, particularly in the southern regions, Shivkumar believed he had secured a binding agreement for his elevation.
Shivkumar’s camp has consistently maintained that the 2.5-year agreement was clear and unambiguous. They argue that loyalty to the party leadership and the arrangement should be honored, especially given the timing coinciding with the government reaching its midpoint in November 2025.
Shivkumar supporters point out that his role as deputy chief minister and his contributions to party victories made him a natural choice for succession. His influence in his home district of Kolar and connections in southern Karnataka make him a valuable asset to the Congress party’s political strategy in the state.
The Saturday Breakfast Meeting: What Really Happened
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar met for breakfast to discuss the Karnataka chief minister power tussle and attempt to resolve their growing differences. The meeting took place in a private setting, away from media scrutiny, in an effort to find common ground.
According to reports, the two leaders discussed the state of Congress party politics in Karnataka and the expectations of both camps. The breakfast meeting was meant to be a confidential discussion aimed at either clarifying the agreement or reaching a new understanding about future leadership arrangements.
However, sources indicate that the meeting did not yield the breakthrough that Congress party leadership had hoped for. While the two leaders maintained cordial relationships and avoided confrontational statements, the core disagreement about the chief minister succession remained unresolved.
Public Facade vs Private Reality in Karnataka Politics
Following the breakfast meeting, both Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar presented a united front to the public and media. They appeared together with smiles and maintained that Congress leadership was focused on governance and party unity. This public display of harmony contrasted sharply with the underlying disagreement about the Karnataka chief minister power tussle.
Political analysts note that such public facades are common in Indian politics when internal disagreements exist but party leadership wants to avoid projecting an image of disunity. The Congress party, facing challenges from the BJP opposition in Karnataka, was keen to present a picture of stability and cohesion to voters and party workers.
However, behind closed doors, both camps were actively consolidating their positions. Siddaramaiah’s team was building support among senior Congress members and MLAs, while Shivkumar’s supporters were reaching out to party leaders to emphasize his claims for the chief minister position.
BJP and Opposition Pressure on the Congress Government
The Karnataka chief minister power tussle comes at a particularly challenging time for the Congress government. The opposition BJP has been actively exploiting internal Congress divisions to strengthen its own political position in the state. BJP leaders have publicly highlighted the disagreements between Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar as evidence of Congress party instability.
The timing of the leadership crisis is significant because the government is still consolidating its position after returning to power in the 2023 assembly elections. With crucial state-level decisions pending and voter confidence to maintain, any perception of internal conflict can damage Congress credibility.
BJP strategists are likely hoping that prolonged uncertainty about Karnataka’s chief minister could weaken the Congress government’s effectiveness and create opportunities for political gains. This external pressure adds another dimension to the Karnataka chief minister power tussle, forcing Congress to resolve its internal differences before the situation worsens.
Timeline and Future Implications of the Power Tussle
The Karnataka chief minister power tussle raises critical questions about what comes next for the state government. The 2.5-year mark from the Congress government’s formation would typically mark the point where a leadership transition might occur, if the agreement was indeed binding.
However, several scenarios are possible. Siddaramaiah could continue as chief minister if party leadership decides in his favor. Alternatively, Shivkumar could be elevated to the chief minister position if Congress party leadership honors the 2023 agreement. A third possibility involves some compromise arrangement, such as cabinet reshuffles or new power-sharing arrangements that don’t involve immediate chief minister succession.
The resolution of the Karnataka chief minister power tussle will have significant implications for Congress party politics not just in Karnataka, but across other Indian states where similar power-sharing arrangements might exist. How Congress handles this situation will set a precedent for party governance and credibility.
Congress Party’s Broader Concerns
For the Congress party at the national level, the Karnataka chief minister power tussle represents a test of party leadership and decision-making capabilities. Congress leaders in New Delhi would need to make a decision that balances party unity, fairness, and political stability.
The party cannot afford prolonged instability in a key state government like Karnataka, especially when facing challenges from stronger opposition parties like the BJP. The resolution must be swift enough to prevent further damage to Congress credibility, but must also satisfy both camps to maintain party cohesion.
Congress party leaders have likely been engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with both Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar, trying to find a solution that keeps both leaders within the party framework and maintains government stability. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial for Congress’s future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
Conclusion
The Karnataka chief minister power tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivkumar represents a significant challenge for Congress party leadership and governance in the state. With its roots in a 2023 election agreement and escalating around the 2.5-year government mark, this dispute highlights the complexities of power-sharing arrangements in Indian politics.
Both leaders have presented their positions publicly, while maintaining a facade of party unity through their breakfast meeting. The underlying disagreement about the chief minister succession remains unresolved, with neither side willing to back down significantly.
The resolution of the Karnataka chief minister power tussle will likely set an important precedent for how Congress handles internal leadership disputes and demonstrates the party’s ability to manage complex political situations. Given the BJP opposition’s eagerness to exploit any Congress divisions, the resolution must come quickly to preserve government stability and party credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka chief minister power tussle about?
The Karnataka chief minister power tussle refers to the ongoing disagreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar over who should lead the Karnataka government. It stems from a disputed 2023 election agreement about leadership succession, with DK Shivkumar claiming he was promised the chief minister position after 2.5 years, a claim Siddaramaiah and his supporters dispute.
Who is DK Shivkumar and why is he important?
DK Shivkumar is a senior Congress leader and the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. He comes from the prominent Shivkumar family with significant political influence in the state, particularly in the southern regions. He is seen as a powerful organizer and has played crucial roles in Congress victories during recent elections. His influence among Congress workers and his regional power base make him a significant player in Karnataka politics.
What was the original 2023 Congress agreement?
According to reports from Congress insiders, the 2023 agreement was an informal understanding between Congress party leadership made during the election campaign. The arrangement reportedly promised Siddaramaiah the chief minister position initially, with DK Shivkumar expected to take over after 2.5 years of Siddaramaiah’s tenure. However, this agreement was never formalized in writing or officially registered, which has become a point of dispute.
Why is the 2.5-year mark significant in the Karnataka chief minister power tussle?
The 2.5-year mark is significant because it represents the midpoint of a typical five-year state government term and was the agreed timeline for potential leadership transition. With the Congress government reaching this mark in November 2025, expectations for succession increased pressure on both leaders to address the power tussle. This timing coincidence has escalated the urgency of the dispute.
What might happen next in the Karnataka chief minister power tussle?
Several outcomes are possible: Siddaramaiah could continue as chief minister with party leadership’s approval, DK Shivkumar could be elevated if Congress honors the original agreement, or a compromise arrangement could emerge through cabinet reshuffles. Congress party leadership in New Delhi is likely mediating between both sides to find a solution that maintains party unity, preserves government stability, and keeps both leaders within the party framework for future electoral prospects.
ar was promised he would take over as chief minister once Siddaramaiah completed half his term. With the government now at Read more about this on NDTV, India Today, and other news outlets covering this story.the 2.5-year mark as of November 20, the pressure for a leadership transition has intensified significantly.
