Karnataka CM Crisis: Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah Meet Amid High-Stakes Leadership Tussle

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In a bid to resolve the deepening leadership crisis, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his official residence on Saturday. The meeting, which was reportedly initiated by the Congress high command, aimed to break the deadlock over the alleged 'rotational CM deal'. The controversy has been brewing for two months, but escalated after the Congress government completed two and a half years in office. While Siddaramaiah has maintained that he was given a five-year mandate, Shivakumar has claimed that he was assured of taking over as chief minister after two and a half years. The high-stakes meeting between the two leaders was a result of the Congress high command's intervention. According to sources, the meeting ended without a breakthrough, as both leaders stuck to their positions. However, Siddaramaiah reportedly asked Shivakumar to take over as chief minister in the next assembly elections. The power tussle within the ruling party has raised concerns about the party's unity and stability. A high-stakes meeting involving senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, is reportedly scheduled for Sunday to discuss the Karnataka leadership tussle. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have expressed their willingness to abide by the party's decision. The Congress high command is expected to discuss the Karnataka leadership crisis in the Strategy Group meeting ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. The outcome of this meeting will have significant implications for the party's future in Karnataka.