Bengaluru, 2 Dec 

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that there are no differences between him and his "brother” Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after eating breakfast at the latter’s house on Tuesday.  

Reiterating that both of them will abide by the decision of their party superiors, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar will become the CM when the High Command decides.

Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar's residence for breakfast, days after the Bengaluru Minister broke bread at Siddaramaiah’s official residence.  

Following Tuesday’s breakfast, both leaders asserted that they and the entire party were united.

"This understanding will always be there. There are no differences. Shivakumar and I are united; we run the government unitedly. In the future also we will run the government unitedly," Siddaramaiah said after the meeting.

"If they call us, we will definitely go (to New Delhi) and meet them,” Siddaramaiah said. “Tomorrow, I will be meeting AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal at a function, where both of us are invited."

Asked when Shivakumar will become the CM, Siddaramaiah said, "When the High Command says."

Siddaramaiah noted that there was no communication from the High Command on the timeline for a decision on the leadership change issue. 

On Shivakumar calling them "brothers", Siddaramaiah said, "We are always brothers, we are in one party and believe in the same ideology. We will work together. In 2028 (Assembly polls) too we will work together and bring Congress back to power."

Politics not permanent: CM’s comments creates buzz  

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s comment during an informal conversation with Congress MLA Belur Gopal Krishna that "politics is not permanent", has led to speculation amid the ongoing power tussle.

Though the context of the conversation in the viral video is not clear, it is being linked with CM change talks in the State.

“Whatever has to happen, let it happen. Is politics my father's property? Politics is not permanent," Siddaramaiah purportedly tells Gopal Krishna, who is MLA from Sagar, as they were emerging from inside Vidhana Soudha.

Meanwhile, in what is seen as a move by the Congress High Command to pause the leadership tussle both the CM and Deputy CM have visited each other's house for breakfast.

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Siddaramaiah said that he and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar strategised for the upcoming legislature session in Belagavi from 8 December. Regarding the Cabinet reshuffle, Siddaramaiah said the High Command has to take a decision on it.

He said that Congress would also organise a meeting of State MPs in New Delhi on 8 December, urging them to raise farmer issues in the Parliament.

“We are united,” Siddaramaiah said. “When the Congress Legislative Party meeting is called, all the party's MLAs will join together for lunch.”

Siddaramaiah drove down to the Deputy CM's Sadashivanagar residence in the City, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother, former Congress MP DK Suresh, and Kunigal MLA HD Ranganath (a relative of Shivakumar). They had breakfast together, which included idli, pongal and country chicken.

Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had ensured non-vegetarian food for breakfast with ‘nati koli’ (country chicken). 

Shivakumar, who was quiet during the press conference, said that Siddaramaiah enjoyed the breakfast. However, he added that MLAs are united in the Congress. “We will face the Opposition during the session; they have an empty trunk.” 

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara termed the breakfast meeting as a "good development" and said he too would like to eat breakfast with them if called.