Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday sought to counter the long-existing perception of a power struggle between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying that both were working “together, hand-in-hand” to serve the people.
Shivakumar further said that his “strength” comes from all his fellow MLAs of the ruling Congress-led alliance, including Siddaramaiah.
“I have stood with him in every crisis, and I will continue to stand with him,” Shivakumar stated. The Deputy CM stressed that Siddaramaiah reciprocated the sentiment by extending support to him when he was faced with crises.
This came as Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA R Ashoka made remarks about apparent factionalism within the state government He claimed he had heard from a loyalist of Shivakumar that at least 56 MLAs were ready to support the Deputy Chief Minister.
“When I asked a person from the Chief Minister’s camp, he said every morning these 56 people go to Shivakumar’s camp and return to the CM’s camp by the evening,” Ashoka added.
Responding to the remarks, Shivakumar said that it is the party high command that decides leadership matters and the backing of a certain number of MLAs could not decide anything.
Highlighting the weighage of party leadership decisions over personal ambitions in politics, Shivakumar also pointed out that the BJP itself had replaced a number of chief ministers and carried out a major cabinet reshuffle in the state.
Ashoka also said that Shivakumar should clear the air around his speeches, statements, and social media posts made over the past month as they convey hundreds of meaning.
To this, Shivakumar asserted that social media posts are open to endless interpretations. “Some people post tweets from our office, some from your office,” he said, addressing Opposition MLAs.
During the heated discussion, Ashoka also claimed that Labour Minister Santosh Lad is among the MLAs who keep oscillating between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s sides.
Taking exception to the comment, the minister rejected being the follower of a particular camp, and retorted by saying that the BJP is an “expert” in bringing down governments.
Ashoka said that the BJP will never topple the government and insinuated that a power tussle within the Congress will itself bring down the party’s regime.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
Published On:
Feb 3, 2026
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