Key Highlights:
- Congress high command intervenes in the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle, orchestrating a crucial breakfast meeting to resolve conflict.
- The alleged 2.5-year rotational Chief Minister formula remains unconfirmed officially but continues to influence Karnataka political narrative.
- Karnataka’s 2025-26 budget and socio-economic indicators frame the political leadership’s pressure to maintain stability for governance and development.
Opening Overview
The escalating Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle in Karnataka recently drew intervention from the Congress high command, culminating in a notable breakfast meeting aimed at easing tensions. This power struggle, rooted in a rumored rotational Chief Minister formula purportedly agreed upon in 2023, places focus on the future leadership of the state government. As Karnataka enters the midpoint of its five-year term, the ability of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to present a united front is pivotal amid rising public speculation and internal party pressures. Mentions of the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle have surged in political discourse, emphasizing the stakes involved for Karnataka’s governance and the Congress party’s stability in the region.
With the state projecting a growth-oriented 2025-26 budget exceeding Rs 30 lakh crore in GSDP, the political dynamics carry profound implications for sustained development and fiscal management.
Revealing the Power Dynamic and Breakfast Truce
- Congress high command directed both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to make peace amid internal frictions.
- The breakfast meeting symbolized recalibration, with key messages projecting unity and shared goals.
The breakfast meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar on November 28, 2025, was convened under the watchful eyes of Congress’s top leadership to quell swirling rumors of a severe leadership rivalry. Both leaders posed for joint pictures during the event, signaling readiness to cooperate despite previous public spats, especially on social media where sharp exchanges underscored tensions. This meeting was pivotal in defusing the public perception of discord while reinforcing that decisions would defer to the Congress high command’s directives. The meeting’s agenda reportedly focused on governance priorities transcending personal ambitions, setting the stage for the party to strategize ahead of the 2028 elections in Karnataka.
ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರನ್ನು ಇಂದು ಅವರ ಕಾವೇರಿ ನಿವಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಉಪಾಹಾರ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು.
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 29, 2025
Met Hon’ble CM Shri @siddaramaiah avaru at Cauvery Residence this morning for a breakfast meeting. A productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead. pic.twitter.com/qhe7q5RNvi
Despite the conciliatory tone post-breakfast, underlying tensions persist. The so-called 2.5-year rotational formula for chief ministership, believed to have been discussed in 2023, remains unofficial and contentious, feeding factional narratives. Sources revealed Siddaramaiah encouraged Shivakumar to consider leadership roles after the 2028 elections, hinting at a phased transition rather than an immediate power shift. Shivakumar, meanwhile, emphasized patience, committing to party decisions without overtly staking his claim. This delicate dance continues to shape Karnataka’s Congress governance narrative amid calls for stability in a state with substantial economic and social development underway.
Understanding the Contested Rotational Chief Minister Formula
- The rumored rotational CM formula proposes Shivakumar taking over after 2.5 years but is not officially confirmed.
- Political silence and mixed statements have contributed to ongoing confusion and factionalism within Karnataka Congress.
The so-called rotational chief minister formula is at the heart of the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle. Viewed by many political analysts as an unofficial pact made in 2023 following the Congress’s electoral victory, this arrangement suggested that Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for 2.5 years, after which DK Shivakumar would assume charge. However, the party has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of this power-sharing deal, fueling speculation and periodic outbreaks of factional friction.
Both leaders have been cautious in addressing this formula publicly. Siddaramaiah’s aides have categorically denied any midterm replacement plans, asserting that the Chief Minister will complete the full five-year tenure as per the mandate. Conversely, Shivakumar has hinted at a “secret deal,” although he refrains from transparent commentary, insisting on working conscientiously without causing party embarrassment. This ambiguity has not only confused party workers but also emboldened competing narratives within the Congress’s Karnataka unit, often detracting from governance priorities. The formula reflects a broader challenge in Congress’s strategy, resembling similar mid-term leadership disputes witnessed in other Indian states like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Karnataka’s Socio-Economic Context Amid Political Uncertainty
- Karnataka’s projected GSDP for 2025-26 is Rs 30.7 lakh crore with a 7% growth target, reflecting significant economic expectations.
- Fiscal deficit is targeted at 2.9% of GSDP, highlighting ongoing challenges in balancing developmental spend and fiscal prudence.
As political leaders navigate the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle, Karnataka’s socio-economic backdrop provides crucial context to the urgency of maintaining stable leadership. The state’s 2025-26 budget projects a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 30,70,103 crore, aiming for 7% growth over the previous year. The government’s expenditure (excluding debt repayment) is estimated at Rs 3,83,075 crore, marking a 12% increase versus the revised 2024-25 estimates. Fiscal deficit is targeted at a manageable 2.9% of GSDP, which denotes the state’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline amid expansionary spending.
Karnataka’s economic priorities—such as agriculture, health, policing, and infrastructure—demand consistent policy direction from political leadership. The state’s own-tax revenue estimates have increased by 15% compared to previous years, underpinning development ambitions. This strong economic framework contrasts with the fragility of political unity caused by leadership uncertainty, making the stabilizing role of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar’s collaboration not only a political imperative but an economic necessity. As the Congress party contemplates its strategy for governance continuity, balancing ambitions in this economically vibrant state remains paramount.
Future Outlook: Leadership, Governance, and Political Strategy
- The Congress high command’s role will be crucial in steering the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle toward a resolution.
- Both leaders have pledged loyalty to the party’s decisions, setting the stage for a calmer political climate leading up to 2028 elections.
Looking ahead, the resolution of the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle hinges on the Congress high command’s ability to mediate effectively and assert party unity. Both leaders have publicly affirmed their commitment to abide by decisions taken by the party leadership. This gesture is key to repairing public trust and stabilizing Karnataka’s governance environment as the Congress eyes the 2028 state elections confidently. The high command’s calibrated interventions, such as the breakfast meet and subsequent calls for unity, signal a strategic effort to maintain cohesiveness and avoid internal fractures that could jeopardize future electoral prospects.
Political analysts suggest that the leadership question, while temporarily diffused by diplomacy, remains a latent challenge. The blend of old loyalty-driven politics and emerging power ambitions requires careful management to prevent stalemates seen in other states with similar rotational arrangements. Equally important is the alignment of leadership with Karnataka’s development goals, ensuring that political tussles do not undermine progress in areas like infrastructure, social welfare, and fiscal modernization. The coming months will test the Congress’s ability to harmonize personal ambitions with public service imperatives for long-term electoral success.
Closing Assessment
The recent Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar power tussle in Karnataka has underscored the complex interplay between political ambition and governance responsibilities within the Congress party. The high command’s orchestration of a conciliatory breakfast meeting effectively diffused immediate tension, but the unresolved nature of the 2.5-year rotational CM formula leaves room for future contestation. With Karnataka pursuing robust economic growth and fiscal targets in its 2025-26 budget, political stability is essential to sustain development momentum and public confidence.
The onus lies on both leaders to transcend personal rivalry and demonstrate cohesive leadership that prioritizes Karnataka’s progress and the party’s durability. As the state prepares for a crucial electoral cycle in 2028, the balance of power between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar will be defining for Karnataka’s political and developmental trajectory.
Their ability to cooperate effectively will be closely watched by party workers and the electorate alike, influencing the Congress party’s fortunes in the state for years to come. Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar’s unity is crucial amid Karnataka’s complex political landscape, where internal harmony within the Congress could determine the party’s stability and success in upcoming elections.
