{"id":27464,"date":"2026-01-13T18:10:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T18:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/13\/rahul-gandhi-dk-shivakumars-helicopter-shot-puts-karnataka-leadership-row-on-sticky-wicket-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T18:10:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T18:10:40","slug":"rahul-gandhi-dk-shivakumars-helicopter-shot-puts-karnataka-leadership-row-on-sticky-wicket-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/13\/rahul-gandhi-dk-shivakumars-helicopter-shot-puts-karnataka-leadership-row-on-sticky-wicket-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Rahul Gandhi &\u00a0DK Shivakumar’s ‘Helicopter Shot’ Puts Karnataka Leadership Row On Sticky Wicket | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Observers noted that as Rahul\u2019s helicopter landed, Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of officials and dignitaries to reach him first<\/h2>\n
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The conversation happened on the tarmac under tight security as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district. Image: Videograb\/News18<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The political corridors of Karnataka<\/a> were abuzz on Tuesday after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was spotted in a brief but intense one-on-one conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru Airport. The meeting has triggered intense speculation through the party ranks, coming just hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly downplayed any political agenda regarding Gandhi\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

The interaction took place on the tarmac under a high-security blanket as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n

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Helipad Huddle. DK Shivakumar\u2019s hush-hush chat with Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru Airport fuels wild leadership buzz. Perhaps dejavu for old-timers, will bring back memories of Rajiv Gandhi\u2019s airport whisper that axed Veerendra Patil as CM for \u201chealth” reasons in 1990. #Karnataka<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Xk4AQ49bM4<\/a>\u2014 Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) January 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Witnesses at the airport observed that as Rahul Gandhi\u2019s chopper touched down, DK Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of waiting officials and dignitaries to reach the leader first. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present at the airport to see off the high command leader, he reportedly remained a significant distance from the helipad, leaving Shivakumar and Gandhi to converse in private for approximately five minutes.<\/p>\n

The visual of the duo huddled away from the larger delegation has immediately triggered fresh rumors of a power-sharing transition, particularly as internal pressure regarding the Chief Ministerial post continues to simmer.<\/p>\n

The timing of this \u201csecret” huddle is particularly notable given the Chief Minister\u2019s earlier remarks to the press, where he dismissed all talk of leadership change as mere media creation and insisted there were no political discussions on the agenda.<\/p>\n

Sources close to the Deputy Chief Minister confirmed the length of the interaction but remained tight-lipped about the specific topics discussed. With Shivakumar scheduled to visit New Delhi on January 16 for meetings regarding the Assam elections, this unexpected five-minute window in Mysuru is being viewed by political analysts as a critical strategic move by the KPCC President to assert his position directly with the party\u2019s central leadership.<\/p>\n

CM Siddaramaiah addressed the media in Mysuru after receiving Rahul Gandhi and said that there is no speculation and balmed the media for creating it. \u201cIt\u2019s a baseless question you\u2019re asking. There is no confusion in the party, it\u2019s just in the papers. Either I or DK Shivakumar should speak about it. But have we spoke? No, right? It is us who will get the info. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the High Command decides. MLAs won\u2019t know anything. Would the High Command tell them anything? No. Media is creating confusion. Not anyone else. I went to have breakfast to DK Shivakumar\u2019s residence to have breakfast, he came to mine. We both have decided to abide by whatever the High Command decides,” he said after meeting Rahul Gandhi.<\/p>\n

Location :<\/span><\/p>\n

Mysore, India, India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n
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January 13, 2026, 22:47 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

News<\/a> politics<\/a> Rahul Gandhi &\u00a0DK Shivakumar’s ‘Helicopter Shot’ Puts Karnataka Leadership Row On Sticky Wicket<\/span><\/div>\n
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