DK Shivakumar insists all is well between him and CM Siddaramaiah; confirms ‘no confusion’ | India News

New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Tuesday reiterated that there is “no confusion” over leadership issues within the state government and claimed that his understanding with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been clarified at the Congress high command.Speaking to reporters before leaving for New Delhi, Shivakumar responded to the growing speculation about a possible change in leadership, saying: “There is no confusion. We, the chief minister and I, know what we discussed. We did not speak individually or in secret, I spoke along with Siddaramaiah and the party leaders. We acted on what we discussed. Statements or opinions made by others for or against any MLA or minister hurt the party and are not a good sign.” Mr Mallikarjun Khage said everyone should shut up. “

Taking a tough stand against party members openly expressing their views on leadership issues, Shivakumar reiterated AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s earlier directive urging Congress workers to focus on their duties.Shivakumar further urged everyone not to spread rumours, saying, “Whoever speaks, whether for me or against me, whether they are ministers, legislators or others, they are damaging the party. Such statements do not do the party any good. Malikajun Haq once said that it would be good if everyone shut up. We should all abide by it.”The ongoing power struggle between the two senior leaders has once again come into focus after Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra’s recent comments insisting that his father will serve out the entire five-year term.In November 2025, when the Congress government was halfway through its term, rumors of a power-sharing understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar during the formation of the government in 2023 were once again sparked.Despite reports that his absence from the pre-budget meeting was a sign of growing differences, the deputy chief minister clarified that he had sought the chief minister’s permission as he plans to engage with the Congress leadership ahead of the upcoming elections. “Today evening, I will convene an AICC meeting to discuss various election-related political issues. The AICC has called me and I will attend the meeting. The election date may be announced anytime and we have reached that stage. I have been to Kerala. I have to go to Assam,” he explained.Shivakumar’s trip to Delhi has further fueled political curiosity as Siddaramaiah is currently holding pre-budget meetings with various ministries before presenting his record 17th budget in March 2026.Asked if he planned to meet the party’s senior command members during his visit, he said, “Once I go there, I will meet all possible people. The parliamentary meeting is also going on and I will definitely meet them if they are available.”Denying claims by some MPs that he might come back with “good news”, Shivakumar struck an optimistic tone and said, “Every day is good news for me. Every day is a good life for me. Every day is a good start for me. Every day is a successful day for me. So every day is good, happy, but every day is also difficult because nothing is easy. Every day in solving people’s difficulties, there will be many difficulties and problems, there will be obstacles, criticisms.” We have to face them and get on with our work. “