Mangaluru (Karnataka), Dec 3 (NationPress) Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal encountered an unexpected situation upon his arrival at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday. Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar rallied around him, chanting slogans demanding that he be appointed as the Chief Minister.

This incident unfolds despite earlier breakfast meetings between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar aimed at demonstrating unity.

Venugopal is in town to attend the centenary celebrations commemorating the 1925 dialogue between Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi. He will be joined by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the event, while Shivakumar is notably absent. Party insiders claim that the Siddaramaiah faction is leveraging this occasion to showcase their strength, leading to discontent among Shivakumar's supporters.

As Venugopal arrived, senior Congress leader and MLC B.K. Hariprasad greeted him. However, a large gathering of Shivakumar's supporters outside the airport erupted in chants of 'DK', creating a chaotic scene as party leaders struggled to escort Venugopal to his vehicle. The supporters expressed their desire to see Shivakumar ascend as the next Chief Minister.

The centenary event, organized by the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala in collaboration with the Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair at Mangalore University, will honor both the historic conversation between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru and the centenary of Narayana Guru’s Mahasamadhi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to inaugurate the program at Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri.

Prior to departing for Mangaluru at 10 a.m., Siddaramaiah convened with a group of MLAs and Ministers at his residence. He is set to participate in multiple events throughout Mangaluru before returning to Bengaluru by 5:30 p.m.

It’s worth noting that just hours after expressing solidarity with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar amid the ongoing leadership struggle within the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stirred controversy with his comment that 'nothing is permanent in politics.'

While conversing with Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna, Siddaramaiah, unaware of the microphones, stated, 'Nothing is permanent in politics. I don't worry about anything; politics is not our father's property. I have never thought much of such matters. Whatever has to happen will happen.'

Political analysts suggest that these remarks raise doubts about the authenticity of the apparent unity between CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Earlier that day, Siddaramaiah enjoyed idlis and a non-vegetarian dish during a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar's residence, where both leaders addressed the media, asserting their brotherhood and commitment to working together for the Congress party.

Regarding when Shivakumar might become Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah remarked that it would happen at the discretion of the high command.

In response to their meeting, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai commented, 'The breakfast meeting between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister is merely a teaser; the real movie is yet to unfold. The film will be released in a few days. Picture abhi baaki hai.'

The former chief minister claimed that the 'real situation' within the Congress will soon be revealed.