The political landscape in Karnataka continues to simmer beneath the surface despite repeated assertions of unity from the state’s top Congress leadership. The delicate equation between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, two towering leaders within the Karnataka Congress, has again come under scrutiny after Shivakumar hinted at an impending visit to Delhi, the seat of the party’s national high command. This gesture, symbolic and strategic in equal measure, has revived questions over whether the long-speculated leadership transition in the state is truly resolved or merely being deferred.

The latest development came just a day after Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah appeared together at the chief minister’s residence in Bengaluru for an extended breakfast meeting, followed by a joint appearance before the media intended to project solidarity. On Sunday, however, Shivakumar offered remarks that many interpret as subtle but telling signals that all issues may not be settled internally. Touching upon the topic of a trip to Delhi, he likened a Congress leader’s journey to the national capital to a visit to a temple—a place where guidance, blessings, and critical decisions are sought. His statement was brief yet evocative, underscoring that Delhi remains the final arbiter in matters of party leadership.

Shivakumar began by remarking on the “beautiful” weather in Bengaluru, a metaphor that suggested a harmonious atmosphere within the state government. Yet when probed further about the purpose of a Delhi visit, his response cast a new light on the political undercurrents. He noted that for Congress workers and leaders, going to Delhi is “like going to a temple,” a ritual and almost instinctive process undertaken whenever necessary. The symbolic weight of this comparison was not lost on political observers who have followed the months-long whispers about an informal power-sharing agreement between the chief minister and his deputy.

In the same interaction, Shivakumar compared Bengaluru’s climate to that of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh where the Congress is also in power. His tone was light and conversational, yet the political context added layers of meaning. The comments suggested an attempt to maintain an atmosphere of calm while acknowledging, albeit indirectly, that critical discussions may be imminent in Delhi.

When directly asked whether he and Siddaramaiah were embroiled in a dispute over the chief ministerial position, Shivakumar attempted to quell speculation. He insisted that there were “no differences” between him and the chief minister and emphasized the discipline expected from someone in his position as the state Congress president. He underscored that he had never made public statements contradicting the chief minister or expressing dissent. His message was clear: he remains committed to collective leadership and the party’s larger goals.

However, the tension beneath the surface revolves around a long-rumored “power-sharing agreement” purportedly forged during the government formation in 2023. Although never officially acknowledged by the Congress high command, the arrangement allegedly promised Siddaramaiah the chief minister’s post for the first half of the government’s five-year term, after which Shivakumar would take over. The government crossed the halfway mark on November 20, an event that has triggered heightened scrutiny of internal dynamics.

Sources familiar with developments have indicated to political observers that Siddaramaiah has conveyed to Shivakumar a willingness to see him lead the party into the next assembly elections in 2028, but not necessarily to cede the chief minister’s chair mid-term. This stance challenges the assumed power-sharing formula and raises questions about how the Congress high command will navigate the expectations and ambitions of both leaders.

For Shivakumar, a leader with a substantial organizational base and a reputation for holding the party together during crises, the issue is not merely symbolic. His supporters believe he deserves a chance to lead Karnataka as chief minister, a long-cherished aspiration that has defined much of his political journey. For Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, the chief ministership is both a culmination of decades of political struggle and a position he continues to view as essential for fulfilling the commitments his government has made to the people.

On Sunday, Shivakumar framed the party’s priorities in terms of electoral timelines, noting that the focus of both leaders is on the 2028 assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He emphasized that Siddaramaiah and he would jointly work out strategies for these electoral battles and highlighted the need to convene an all-party meeting on major public issues. The message attempted to shift attention from personal ambitions to governance and long-term political planning, although the proximity of his remarks to the Delhi signal ensured that the leadership question remained at the forefront.

The preceding day’s breakfast meeting had similarly aimed to project internal cohesion. The two leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the party’s national leadership, often referred to as the high command—a term that in Congress circles denotes the considerable authority wielded by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge, during a recent visit to Bengaluru, had cautioned party members against airing internal matters in public, a reminder that discipline remains non-negotiable in a party with a centralized culture of decision-making.

The continued focus on Delhi underscores the space the Congress leadership occupies in settling disputes, balancing competing interests, and ensuring the stability of state governments. Given the Congress’s fragile national position and the symbolic importance of Karnataka as its largest governed state, the high command is likely treading cautiously. Any mishandling could lead to internal fractures that opposition parties might capitalize on, particularly as national elections approach.

What remains clear is that the leadership question in Karnataka has not fully faded. Shivakumar’s remarks, though carefully worded, suggest that the final word on the matter will come from Delhi. Whether the high command chooses continuity under Siddaramaiah, honors the presumed power-sharing understanding, or devises a compromise that satisfies both camps, the decision will have long-term implications for the party’s stability in the state.

For now, the Congress leadership in Karnataka is walking a tightrope: projecting unity publicly while managing competing ambitions behind closed doors. And in this delicate choreography, the symbolic journey to Delhi remains central, a reminder that in the Congress, the highest decisions still flow from the top.