"DK Shivakumar To Be Chief Minister If...": Siddaramaiah Leaves Decision To Congress

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met his deputy, DK Shivakumar, for a 'power breakfast' Tuesday, a meeting that under most other circumstances might seem normal. This meeting, though, was not. The two Congress leaders - squabbling over the chief minister's post since the 2023 election - sat down to idli, a country-style chicken curry, and coffee (a splash of milk for the Chief Minister) and discussed their tug-of-war. But the outcome remains uncertain, particularly since Siddaramaiah pointed out the two spoke about the Karnataka Assembly session next week. But - in perhaps the first clear admission that his time as Chief Minister may be drawing to an end - Siddaramaiah also indicated he is prepared to stand down, though only if told to by the Congress' top leaders. "Both of us will accept the decision taken by the party, especially Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge." Meanwhile, soures said DKS made a genuine attempt to show respect to Siddaramaiah; his younger brother, DK Suresh, who last month spoke out against the Chief Minister, was seen bending down to touch his feet, a traditional show of respect.