Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to visit Shivakumar's residence for breakfast on Dec 2

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. File Pic

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit his deputy DK Shivakumar's residence on December 2, in an effort to demonstrate unity and a truce following months of power tussle within the ruling Congress in the state, official sources told PTI on Monday.

This comes days after Shivakumar visited the CM's residence for a similar breakfast meeting.

Following the initial meeting held as per the directive of the Congress high command, both leaders had publicly stated that "there won't be any confusion".

On the leadership issue, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar maintained that they would obey the high command.

The development is seen as a move by the high command to pause the leadership tussle between the two, and signals Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for time being, especially ahead of the legislature session from December 8.

"As told by the CM on Saturday, he is scheduled to visit Shivakumar's residence for breakfast tomorrow," official sources told PTI.

The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculations about a change in chief minister in the state after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation was fuelled by an alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

Shivakumar rules out differences of opinion with Siddaramaiah

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday once again dismissed reports of internal differences with CM Siddaramaiah, asserting that he never took any MLAs to Delhi amid speculation over leadership changes that had erupted earlier.

On Saturday, the two leaders had a breakfast meeting after which they put up a united front, denying any difference between them.

"We never had differences of opinion. I never took a single MLA whenever I went to Delhi. I could have taken at least 10 to 12 MLAs. That does not serve any purpose," Shivakumar told reporters.

He said that he being the Karnataka Pradesh Congress president is like a "father figure" to all the party members.

"I have to take everyone along. All 140 MLAs are dear to me. I never differentiate with anyone. I have no differences of opinion with anyone," the Deputy CM said.

(With inputs from PTI)