Digital face-off in Karnataka power tussle: Walk the talk, says DK Shivakumar; CM Siddaramaiah replies mandate is for 5 years
BENGALURU: A digital face-off between Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar and chief minister Siddaramaiah Thursday escalated the leadership tussle in Karnataka, with both netas using cryptic posts on X to push competing claims and interpretations of keeping one's "word".
Shivakumar fired the first salvo at 8.21am with a post - "word power is world power" in bold red and capitals - accompanied by a silhouette of his photo and a message which concluded saying, "everyone has to walk the talk".
Hours later, Siddaramaiah hit back with his own all-capitals slogan spun around two key words used by Shivakumar and noticeably highlighted in red: "Our word to Karnataka is not a slogan, it means the world to us."
Asked about his post nearly 12 hours later, Shivakumar, reportedly nudged by the Congress brass, denied posting the message. But it remained on his handle.
DKS, Sidda play with words in Karnataka power tussle
The remark came days after he disclosed a secret power-sharing pact involving five or six senior netas that was brokered after the 2023 elections. Sources said the X post was to remind the high command and Siddaramaiah of the purported assurance to hand over the chief ministership to him.
The chief minister's post - again, accompanied by a black-and-white fading photo of the chief minister's back to the camera, and him addressing a huge congregation - added: "A word is not power unless it betters the world for the people", while listing the delivery of guarantees and noting that 157 of 165 promises were fulfilled during his 2013-18 term and 243 of 593 commitments completed so far this term.
"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," the message read. Kharge, who was in Bengaluru Thursday, said the leadership would soon call state leaders to Delhi. "After going to Delhi, I will call three-four important leaders from the state and discuss the issue. After the discussion, we will say how to go ahead; thereby put an end to the confusion. Rahul Gandhi will be part of it," he said. Asked whether Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar would be summoned, he replied: "We should certainly call them."
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar remain on standby for a formal call from Delhi. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he was ready to travel if summoned. Shivakumar echoed him. Sources said the meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday in Delhi, though it hinges on the availability of Rahul Gandhi, whose itinerary remains uncertain.
Leading the pushback for Siddaramiah was his son, MLC Yathindra, who said talk that he would be replaced was "baseless". He said there is no foundation to discuss an alleged "power-sharing" arrangement "The information I have is that no such formula was drafted," he said. "Neither my father nor any minister has ever discussed it. That means no such talk happened."
Shivakumar fired the first salvo at 8.21am with a post - "word power is world power" in bold red and capitals - accompanied by a silhouette of his photo and a message which concluded saying, "everyone has to walk the talk".
Hours later, Siddaramaiah hit back with his own all-capitals slogan spun around two key words used by Shivakumar and noticeably highlighted in red: "Our word to Karnataka is not a slogan, it means the world to us."
Asked about his post nearly 12 hours later, Shivakumar, reportedly nudged by the Congress brass, denied posting the message. But it remained on his handle.
DKS, Sidda play with words in Karnataka power tussle
The remark came days after he disclosed a secret power-sharing pact involving five or six senior netas that was brokered after the 2023 elections. Sources said the X post was to remind the high command and Siddaramaiah of the purported assurance to hand over the chief ministership to him.
The chief minister's post - again, accompanied by a black-and-white fading photo of the chief minister's back to the camera, and him addressing a huge congregation - added: "A word is not power unless it betters the world for the people", while listing the delivery of guarantees and noting that 157 of 165 promises were fulfilled during his 2013-18 term and 243 of 593 commitments completed so far this term.
"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," the message read. Kharge, who was in Bengaluru Thursday, said the leadership would soon call state leaders to Delhi. "After going to Delhi, I will call three-four important leaders from the state and discuss the issue. After the discussion, we will say how to go ahead; thereby put an end to the confusion. Rahul Gandhi will be part of it," he said. Asked whether Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar would be summoned, he replied: "We should certainly call them."
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar remain on standby for a formal call from Delhi. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he was ready to travel if summoned. Shivakumar echoed him. Sources said the meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday in Delhi, though it hinges on the availability of Rahul Gandhi, whose itinerary remains uncertain.
Leading the pushback for Siddaramiah was his son, MLC Yathindra, who said talk that he would be replaced was "baseless". He said there is no foundation to discuss an alleged "power-sharing" arrangement "The information I have is that no such formula was drafted," he said. "Neither my father nor any minister has ever discussed it. That means no such talk happened."
Next Story