Bengaluru, May 27 (IANS) Amid strong rumours of a leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar is set to hold a breakfast meeting with CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday, further fuelling speculation over the political scenario in the state.

Shivakumar’s office on Wednesday confirmed the breakfast meeting with Siddaramaiah, scheduled for Thursday (May 28) at the Chief Minister’s residence ‘Kaveri’ in Bengaluru.

The official statement said that Shivakumar, who is currently in Delhi, will leave from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 5 a.m. on Thursday and arrive in Bengaluru at 8.30 a.m. After arriving in Bengaluru, he will head straight to Siddaramaiah’s official residence for the breakfast meeting at 9 a.m.

Sources stated that after the meeting, both leaders are likely to address a press conference and clarify the ongoing speculation surrounding the leadership change issue.

It can be recalled that CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar earlier held a highly publicised “breakfast diplomacy” meeting at Shivakumar’s residence in December, 2025. The menu famously featured traditional naati koli (country-style chicken) alongside idli, dosa, and coffee. The reciprocal meal was part of the Congress leadership’s efforts to project a united front amid intense speculation regarding a rotational chief ministership or power-sharing pact.

Amid the speculation, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala is arriving in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Though it is officially being claimed that his visit is related to the elections concerning the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), insiders say he is arriving and staying in Bengaluru to ensure a smooth transition of power.

Sources further stated that CM Siddaramaiah has been asked by Rahul Gandhi to step down to facilitate Shivakumar’s elevation to the post of Chief Minister. The Siddaramaiah camp is now claiming that he is ready to tender his resignation, as Rahul Gandhi played a key role in helping him become Chief Minister for a second term. However, the camp maintains that a group of ministers and his staunch supporters are strongly opposed to the move and insist that Siddaramaiah should not step down under any circumstances.

The Congress high command has reportedly offered Siddaramaiah a larger role in national politics and the post of Deputy Chief Minister for his son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah. He has also reportedly been assured of key portfolios. To maintain social and political balance, the high command is said to have decided to create three or four Deputy Chief Minister posts to ensure representation for various communities, especially the oppressed classes.

Sources added that Siddaramaiah may host a dinner meeting for cabinet ministers and legislators before stepping down and formally announcing the decision on Thursday in the presence of senior national leaders, including party General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and Surjewala.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is participating in two events on Wednesday to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He will first attend an event organised by the KPCC and later garland Nehru’s statue at Vidhana Soudha. His schedule for the day has remained unchanged despite ongoing speculation of a leadership change.

Meanwhile, amid the intense speculation, supporters of Shivakumar have started putting up banners and sharing social media posts congratulating him in anticipation of becoming the next Chief Minister.

However, the party is yet to issue any official statement regarding a change in leadership.

It can be further noted that the Congress high command on Tuesday downplayed the Karnataka Congress crisis and the leadership tussle between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

After a day-long marathon meeting at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, national leaders maintained that the discussions were entirely focused on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and other elections. They also refused to take questions from the media during the briefing.

–IANS

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