- By Yashashvi Tak
- Sun, 20 Jul 2025 12:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday publicly displayed his displeasure during an event in Mysuru district, revealing the underlying tensions within the Karnataka government over the Chief Minister’s post. The moment of unease came when Siddaramaiah appeared irked at a suggestion that he mention Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in his address.
The incident took place at the Sadhana Samavesha, an event organised to showcase the Congress government’s achievements and announce upcoming projects. Deputy CM Shivakumar, along with other senior state leaders, was present on stage. After delivering his speech, Shivakumar abruptly left for Bengaluru, citing an emergency.
When Siddaramaiah took the podium, he skipped mentioning Shivakumar while introducing the dignitaries. When someone prompted him to include the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah appeared visibly annoyed. "DK Shivakumar is not here, right? Please go sit down. What kind of lawyer are you?" Siddaramaiah retorted to the Congress leader who approached him with the suggestion to mention the Deputy Chief Minister in his address.
"DK Shivakumar has gone back to Bengaluru. You have to mention the names of people on the dais, not those who have left. That's the protocol to invite those who are here, not those seated at home, you advocates should understand that," Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister's response came amid ongoing tensions within the Karnataka government over the top post, further fuelled by the Opposition BJP's claims that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar may eventually replace Siddaramaiah.
While the Congress high command has made it clear that there are no plans to change the Chief Minister, speculation has persisted. Siddaramaiah has consistently dismissed rumours of his exit, and Shivakumar has publicly pledged his support for the CM. Yet, friction between the two leaders has surfaced repeatedly in public settings.
This unease dates back to the Congress party’s sweeping victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections. Shivakumar was seen as a key architect of that win and a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post. In the end, the party leadership persuaded him to accept the roles of Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president. At the time, reports suggested a rotational Chief Ministership deal may have been struck, though no such agreement was ever officially confirmed.