Shivakumar denies political agenda, focuses on ‘Vote Chori’ rally amid Karnataka CM post tussle.
New Delhi: As speculation mounts over the Chief Ministerial post in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday insisted that his visit to Delhi was purely personal.
“No political agenda. I have come here for the wedding of my friend's son,” Shivakumar told reporters.
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Shivakumar, also Karnataka Congress president, said he was in the capital to make arrangements for the upcoming “Vote Chori” rally on December 14. He said over 10,000 people from Karnataka were expected to attend.
“I wanted to make arrangements for the December 14 Vote Chori rally. We are expecting more than 10,000 people to come from Karnataka. I just wanted to discuss with my colleagues and other friends what arrangements we can make. As the party president (of Karnataka Congress), I have the responsibility for all these things. I will return early morning because I have a cabinet meeting at 11 o'clock,” he said.
Shivakumar clarified he would not meet the party high command in Delhi, citing their engagement with the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
“No, I am not expected to meet anyone because all of them are busy with the Parliament. We have to take Karnataka forward together, work together, live together and bring back the party together,” he added.
Siddaramaiah waits for party call
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would only visit Delhi if called by the party high command.
“Let him go. I will go only if I receive a call. I have not received a call so far,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
Mixed signals from other Karnataka leaders
Earlier, Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi added fuel to speculation, suggesting the power tussle could last “thirty months or three years.”
“I said it could be thirty months, or it could be three years,” Jarkiholi told reporters in Mangaluru.
At Mangaluru Airport, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal witnessed a display of internal party divisions, with workers chanting slogans supporting both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara sought to downplay recent differences, stating they had been resolved.
“I don't want to comment unnecessarily. It's all over now. Whatever little difference was there, if it was there, has been resolved,” Parameshwar said.
Speculation continues
Shivakumar’s Delhi visit has heightened speculation about potential discussions with top Congress leaders, despite his insistence on attending only a private wedding.
Published: 03 Dec 2025, 10:15 pm IST
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