NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar reaffirmed on Tuesday that there is “no confusion” regarding the leadership issue within the state government, asserting that his understanding with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had already been clarified before the Congress high command.Speaking to reporters before departing for New Delhi, Shivakumar addressed growing speculation about a possible change in leadership, saying, “There is no confusion. We, the CM and I, know what we discussed. We did not speak separately or in secret, I and Siddaramaiah, and the party leaders spoke together. We are acting according to what we discussed. Others making statements or giving opinions in favour of or against any MLA or minister harms the party and does not give a good sign. Mallikarjun Kharge sir said everyone should keep their mouths shut.”

Shivakumar took a strong stance against party members airing views on the leadership issue publicly, reiterating AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s earlier directive urging Congress functionaries to focus on their responsibilities.Further urging everyone to not spread rumours, Shivakumar stated, “Whoever is making statements, either in my favour or against me, whether they are ministers or legislators or whoever it is, they are damaging the party. Such statements won’t do any good for the party. Mallikarjun Kharge had said that it will be good if everyone shut their mouth. We should all abide by it,” news agency PTI reported.His intervention comes amid renewed attention to the ongoing power tussle between the two senior leaders, following comments from Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra, who recently insisted that his father would complete the full five-year term.The debate has been reignited as the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in November 2025, amid whispers of a power-sharing understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar during the formation of the government in 2023.Brushing aside reports that his absence from pre-budget meetings signalled a growing divide, the deputy chief minister clarified he had sought permission from the chief minister due to his scheduled engagements with the Congress leadership ahead of upcoming elections. “Today evening I have AICC meeting on political matters related to various elections. I have been called by the AICC, I will attend the meeting. Election dates may be announced any time, we have reached that stage. I have been to Kerala. I have to go to Assam,” he explained.With Siddaramaiah currently holding pre-budget sessions with various departments ahead of presenting what will be his record 17th Budget in March 2026, Shivakumar’s Delhi trip has sparked further political curiosity.Asked whether he intended to meet party high command members during his visit, he said, “once I go there, I will meet everyone possible. Parliament session is also on, will certainly meet if they are free.”Dismissing talk among some Congress legislators that he might return with “good news”, Shivakumar struck an optimistic tone, “Every day is a good news for me. Every day is a good life for me. Every day is a good beginning for me. Every day is a successful day for me. So every day is good, happy, also every day is difficult, as nothing is easy. To resolve the difficulties of the people every day, there will be lot of difficulties and issues, there will be obstacles, criticism. We have to face them and continue with our work.”