CM Siddaramaiah & DCM Shivakumar exchange “Word, World” posts on X amid power struggle
Siddaramaiah emphasises governance for people, while Shivakumar stresses honoring promises
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar traded indirect messages on social media on Thursday, highlighting a deepening power struggle within the Congress government over the chief ministerial post.
The latest friction emerged after Shivakumar wrote on X that “Word power is world power,” implying that commitments made in 2023 regarding a rotational chief ministership must be honoured. His remark was widely seen as a reminder to both Siddaramaiah and the Congress leadership of the alleged pact under which he would take over the CM position mid-term.
ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಮಾತು ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೇ ವಿಶ್ವದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಶಕ್ತಿ! pic.twitter.com/klregNRUtv
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 27, 2025
Siddaramaiah responded with a similar statement, but reframed the focus toward governance: “A word is not power unless it betters the world for the people.” He stressed that the government’s priority is fulfilling promises like the Shakti free-bus travel scheme, asserting that the party is committed to serving the full five-year mandate given by the people.
A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 27, 2025
Proud to declare that the Shakti scheme has delivered over 600 crore free trips to the women of our state. From the very first month of forming the government, we transformed our guarantees into action; not in… pic.twitter.com/lke1J7MnbD
The exchange comes as the Congress high command prepares to intervene to end growing uncertainty. Supporters of both leaders have intensified pressure, with rival community organisations warning against any move that sidelines their respective leaders.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of senior leaders and assured that no decision will be taken without broad consultation. The party is concerned that the open internal rift could affect its public image, especially as the BJP works to strengthen its position in Karnataka.
The crisis resurfaced when the government crossed its halfway mark on November 20. Reports suggest that Siddaramaiah was to serve the first 30 months, followed by Shivakumar for the remainder of the term. While Shivakumar’s camp seeks clarity on the supposed agreement, Siddaramaiah has repeatedly insisted he intends to complete the full tenure until 2028.
Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah dismissed the need for a leadership change, stating that the chief minister enjoys the support of legislators and has delivered effective governance. The final decision, he said, lies with the party’s central leadership.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
