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Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have sought clarity from the Congress high command on who will get Karnataka’s chief ministerial post as per an unwritten 2023 agreement.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI/File)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took an apparent veiled dig at Deputy CM DK Shivakumar as an intense power tussle between the two sides intensified on Thursday for the chief ministerial position in the state, which has prompted an intervention by the Congress high command to rein in the chaos.
Shivakumar earlier shared a post on X, where he said, “Word Power is World Power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word.” This statement was widely seen as a hint of a secret power pact allegedly finalised in May 2023 and a message to Siddaramaiah and the Congress high command to honour the agreement.
ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಮಾತು ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೇ ವಿಶ್ವದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಶಕ್ತಿ! pic.twitter.com/klregNRUtv— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 27, 2025
“Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power. Those standing at the back don’t know the value of the chair. What value and significance the chair holds,” Shivakumar added.
In response, Siddaramaiah virtually echoed his deputy’s words, but with a twist, in a social media post, saying, “A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.” The CM turned the spotlight on his government’s achievements, particularly the Shakti Scheme that has delivered over 600 crore free trips to the women of our state.
“The mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years. The Congress party, including me, is walking the talk for our people with compassion, consistency, and courage. Our Word to Karnataka is not a slogan, it means the World to us,” Siddaramaiah said.
A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.Proud to declare that the Shakti scheme has delivered over 600 crore free trips to the women of our state. From the very first month of forming the government, we transformed our guarantees into action; not in… pic.twitter.com/lke1J7MnbD
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 27, 2025
The apparent exchange of words has sharply underscored the political drama in Karnataka, with renewed chatter around leadership dynamics within the Congress party. The party’s top brass is likely to summon the two leaders to resolve a simmering leadership crisis over an alleged power-sharing agreement in May 2023.
ALSO READ: Congress High Command Steps Into Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Game Of Thrones
Leadership Crisis In Karnataka
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said he has convened a meeting of senior leaders to address the ongoing power tussle in Karnataka, as supporters of DK Shivakumar have intensified pressure on the top brass to make him the new CM. He further stressed that no decision will be made without collective consultation.
The crisis was reignited after the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. As per a reported pact reached when Congress won the 2023 Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah is to serve as CM for the first two and a half years, and Shivakumar will take over in the latter half.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have asked the high command to end the ongoing confusion over a possible transition, citing the damage caused by uncertainty around who the Chief Minister will be for the remainder of the term. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly asserted that he intends to serve the full five-year term until 2028.
The Karnataka State Federation of Backwards Class Communities (KSFBCC) has warned Congress that any attempt to unseat Siddaramaiah in the wake of power strife in the state will have a bearing on the party. On the other hand, the Karnataka Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha has warned the Congress high command that it will fight vehemently if injustice happens to Shivakumar.
The leadership crisis presents a significant challenge for the Congress high command as the BJP gains a foothold in the state. Mallikarjun Kharge, an influential leader from Karnataka himself, has acknowledged the tussle, stating that the decision will be taken collectively by him, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Karnataka, India, India
November 27, 2025, 19:00 IST
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