Has Siddaramaiah Received an Invitation for Breakfast from Shivakumar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Siddaramaiah is open to attending the breakfast meeting when invited.
- Shivakumar reassures their collaboration amidst media scrutiny.
- Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasizes unity within the party.
- Media narratives of division are being countered by both leaders.
- Future meetings may lead to discussions on various important issues.
Bengaluru, Dec 1 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that he has yet to receive an invitation from Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting at his home, emphasizing that he will attend whenever invited.
"If Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar invites me for breakfast, I am prepared to go. He mentioned on the day of the proposed breakfast (November 30) that he would extend an invitation. He indicated that I should come over to his residence for breakfast on Tuesday. However, I have not yet received a call. I will go if he invites me," Siddaramaiah informed reporters in response to inquiries on the subject.
"He (Shivakumar) might extend an invitation soon. I believe he will surely invite me," he added.
Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president and is a prominent contender for the Chief Minister’s position, remarked last Saturday—following a breakfast meeting at the CM’s residence—that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are "united" and will adhere to the directives of the party leadership. "Today, I feel pleased. The CM and I had a breakfast meeting. The CM will also come to my residence for dinner in the next couple of days," he noted.
Regarding the invitation for breakfast at his home, Shivakumar clarified that the matter is exclusive to the two of them. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I are collaborating seamlessly. We only participated in the breakfast meeting due to media scrutiny. The media often asserted that there are factions within the party," he explained.
Concurrently, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao commented: "We will arrange breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings as well. All topics will be discussed in these gatherings. Shivakumar had mentioned that he was invited by CM Siddaramaiah for breakfast, and in that context, he indicated he would reciprocate the invitation to the CM."
"It cannot be characterized as a political breakfast. They will address political matters alongside other issues. Why shouldn’t they converse? They are politicians," he asserted.
Gundu Rao emphasized that there are no rifts within the party, and ultimate decisions will be made by the leadership. "There will be no future uncertainty in the party. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are united and will progress together. Discussions about leadership should not occur to benefit the party or the government," he stated.
"For the past two and a half years, the media has suggested that there is chaos within the government. However, there has been no confusion within the party to date. The CM and Dy CM are collaborating. The crisis that the media anticipated in November within the Congress party did not materialize. This situation is detrimental to the party. We have resolved the misunderstandings and are moving forward," he concluded.