‘Keeping a promise...’: DK Shivakumar's cryptic message amid Karnataka power tussle

New Delhi: Amid the power tussle in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that word power is world power and that keeping a promise is a big power move, a remark being seen as a reminder to Congress top leadership who is expected to take a call on the power shift issue in the state in the days ahead.

Speaking at an event, the Karnataka Deputy CM made a politically loaded statement saying "word power is world power", in an apparent reference to fulfilling promises. "Keeping our word is the biggest power. Be it a judge, the president, me or anybody else, we must keep our word," he emphasised. 

Also Read

India-led South Asian bloc to drive energy demand in future, climate change playing big role: IEA

AAP"s Rajesh Gupta breaks down while joining BJP, reveals "reason" behind Kejriwal"s "downfall" | Watch

Delhi court extends Anmol Bishnoi’s NIA custody till December 5

Shivakumar, however, clarified that there is no confusion in the party and that they are united. Denying any existence of factions, he said, "... no one should demand anything. There are no groups in the party, there is only one group, that is the Congress. Our group has 140 MLAs." Shivakumar also said that he believe in collective leadership. "I believe in party worship, not personality worship," he said, PTI reported.

Karnataka leadership tussle 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been locked in a power tussle over the CM post. As the Congress government in Karnataka completed half of its five-year term on November 20, Shivakumar loyalists mounted pressure on the party leadership to elevate as the CM, claiming that a rotational chief ministership was agreed upon after the Congress 2023 election victory. However, Siddaramaih faction has rejected the claim, requesting Congress leadership to retain the senior leader in the top job.

His remarks came amidst speculations that Shivakumar wants Siddaramaiah to keep his word by stepping down as the Chief Minister and paving the way for him to take over as the CM, after the Congress government in the state reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. Rumours are a "power-sharing" pact between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah was allegedly made after the 2023 assembly elections.

Siddaramaih or Shivakumar? Key decision likely on  Nov 29

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the tug-of-war between the Karnataka leaders will be resolved soon and that he, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will sit together and find a solution to the issue soon. The Congress leadership is also expected to summon Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi on November 29 and discuss the issue of leadership change in the state.