New Delhi: Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday clarified that there is no power-sharing formula or agreement between him and chief minister Siddaramaiah. This comes amidst speculation and recent statements about a supposed pact between the two leaders regarding the chief ministership.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, stated, “No one should talk about any agreement. There is no formula or anything. We are both working with some political understanding. I have never spoken about any formula, and there is nothing to clarify further.”
The deputy CM’s remarks came after Siddaramaiah’s recent denial of any such power-sharing arrangement. Shivakumar further emphasised, “The CM has been entrusted with some responsibilities, and I have been entrusted with some. I’m functioning accordingly. Whatever CM says is final, and the matter is now closed.”
Was there a power-sharing deal?
After the Congress’s landslide victory in the Karnataka assembly elections in 2023, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for vying for the top post. Reports at the time suggested that the Congress high command had brokered a “rotational chief minister formula”, which would see Shivakumar taking over the CM position halfway through the term. However, these claims were never officially confirmed by the party.
Recently, Shivakumar hinted at a pre-election “understanding” during an interview with a news channel. Siddaramaiah, in response, dismissed these claims, stating there was no such agreement and affirming his commitment to the party high command’s decisions.
‘Congress high command holds the ultimate authority’
Home Minister G Parameshwara also rejected the notion of a power-sharing formula, asserting that the Congress high command holds the ultimate authority. “Everyone will abide by the high command’s decision,” Parameshwara said on Thursday.
While Shivakumar has consistently expressed his ambitions to become chief minister, he has maintained a cooperative stance in public. His recent statements are significant as Congress can ill afford another factional feud in its rank after it cost the party in Haryana.
