Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar: Public bonhomie that never abates

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar embrace during a breakfast in Bengaluru on Thursday. | Photo credit: ANI

Though the Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar led factions in the Congress in the state, they never relented.

Even on Tuesday, when the two were at the AICC office in Delhi to discuss the transfer of power, they were seen discussing with each other. On Thursday, when Mr Siddaramaiah finally resigned, Mr Shivakumar was seen touching his feet and the two were snapped in a warm embrace.

While Mr. Shivakumar has never publicly commented on the alleged power-sharing pact between them, Mr. Siddaramaiah has always maintained that there is nothing wrong in a democracy for his deputy to aspire to be chief minister.

Although their respective supporters have made public statements aimed at the other, the two leaders have often diffused tensions by appearing together and raising their hands in a sign of their unity. After arguments over the handover of power in November 2025, the two leaders hosted each other’s breakfast to present a united front ahead of the winter session in Belagavi.

Recently, Mr. Siddaramaiah told a rally that the silk scarf he was wearing was a gift from Mr. Shivakumar.

True to the bliss they have displayed for more than four years, starting during and after the 2023 assembly, the transfer of power that they feared would be messy also appears to have gone smoothly.

Published – 29 May 2026 01:02 IST