Bengaluru, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Congress high command has taken its initial formal step to alleviate the leadership turmoil in Karnataka by instructing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to engage in discussions and report back to the central leadership, as per party sources on Friday.

In response, Siddaramaiah has extended an invitation to Shivakumar for a breakfast discussion at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, clearing his agenda for the day, according to officials. Sources indicate that Shivakumar has yet to reply to the invitation.

AICC General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal has reached out to both leaders, urging them to amicably resolve the issue and relay their conclusion to the high command.

Should this bilateral meeting prove fruitful, a planned joint visit to Delhi to seek a central resolution will be canceled, thus preventing further embarrassment for the party. However, if no consensus is achieved, national leaders may summon both to Delhi on Sunday, November 30, according to sources.

Siddaramaiah confirmed this development to the media in Bengaluru, stating that he had invited Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting per the high command's direction. He said, “The high command has instructed us to first meet among ourselves before heading to Delhi. That’s why I’ve invited him for breakfast.”

The Chief Minister reiterated that his stance on the leadership issue remains consistent. “I have previously stated that I will adhere to the high command's decision. I remain committed to that statement today and will continue to uphold it tomorrow,” Siddaramaiah affirmed.

He also noted that Shivakumar shared a similar viewpoint, and both would travel to Delhi when requested.

Previously, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge indicated that both leaders would be called to the national leadership in Delhi to resolve this matter.

The ongoing political struggle has resulted in public disputes and competing claims from both factions. Siddaramaiah has maintained his intention to serve as chief minister for the next five years, while Shivakumar’s supporters have advocated for a change, leading to the high command's intervention.

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister M. Veerappa Moily expressed his dissatisfaction with the internal conflict, stating that the party's struggle over the chief ministership has caused national embarrassment. He also criticized the high command for its delayed response, accusing senior leaders of failing to act promptly and exacerbating the situation.

Moily condemned the rivalry and posturing within the state unit, labeling the situation as indicative of an “anarchic” internal state.

Party sources indicate that the high command's immediate goal is to restore discipline and project a unified front ahead of forthcoming political challenges.

The effectiveness of the Saturday meeting in reducing tensions—and whether it negates the necessity for a central hearing in Delhi—will be closely monitored by party members and political analysts alike.