In the midst of ongoing whispers about a power tussle within the Karnataka Congress, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently made a tongue-in-cheek remark that has sparked fresh political chatter. His comment, made during an informal interaction, was seen by many as a subtle jab at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, further fueling talk about the internal dynamics of the state’s ruling party.

The remark came while Shivakumar was addressing reporters, where he said with a smile, “I am happy with whatever I’ve got. Power is temporary, and so are posts.” Though seemingly casual, the comment has led many to interpret it as a veiled reference to the long-standing conversation around leadership rotation between him and Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have both played pivotal roles in the Congress’s return to power in Karnataka. While Siddaramaiah was chosen as CM after the 2023 elections, many believed Shivakumar, the state party president and a key organiser behind the campaign, was also a strong contender. Since then, there have been repeated reports suggesting tensions over leadership roles and administrative influence.

The Congress party, however, continues to publicly deny any rift, stating that both leaders are working in coordination for the development of the state. Political observers, though, see occasional statements like this one as indicators that all is not entirely smooth behind closed doors.

Whether Shivakumar’s latest comment was just humour or a message wrapped in wit, it has certainly added more layers to the ongoing political speculation.