'Keeping one's word is greatest strength': DK Shivakumar's cryptic post amid Karnataka power tussle
Bengaluru: In the midst of an ongoing power tussle within Karnataka’s Congress government, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has sparked fresh speculation with a cryptic social media post, highlighting the importance of keeping one’s word amid rising tensions over the state’s leadership.
DK Shivakumar, who has reportedly been staking claim for the top post for the past few weeks, spilt the beans on Wednesday with a cryptic message which appeared like a veiled dig at the Congress high command who will take the final decision with regard to the matter.
“The biggest force in the world is to keep one’s word. Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power,” Shivakumar wrote on X.
This came days after Shivakumar mentioned there was a "secret deal" among "five to six of us" in the party and that he believes in his conscience.
When the Congress government took power in Karnataka in May 2023, a tussle had reportedly emerged between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar over the Chief Ministerial post. Reports at the time suggested a possible compromise based on a "rotational Chief Minister" formula, under which Shivakumar would assume office after two and a half years. However, neither the two leaders nor the party has officially commented on the rumoured power-sharing arrangement.
When asked about the rumours surrounding a midterm power transfer, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently referred the matter to the Congress high command, stating, "We’ll abide by the high command’s decision."
Meanwhile, the Congress high command has confirmed a meeting to address the speculation, with Mallikarjun Kharge stating the issue would be resolved after consultations with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Reports suggest that senior party functionaries, including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are likely to meet in New Delhi on 29 or 30 November.
ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಮಾತು ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದೇ ವಿಶ್ವದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಶಕ್ತಿ! pic.twitter.com/klregNRUtv
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 27, 2025
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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.
