Pro-Shivakumar slogans greet KC Venugopal in Mangaluru amid power tussle in Karnataka
Mangaluru (PTI): The unease within the Karnataka Congress over the alleged power-sharing pact between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar came to the fore when AICC general secretary K C Venugopal was greeted with pro-Shivakumar slogans at the city airport on Wednesday.
Venugopal arrived in Mangaluru to attend the centenary commemoration of the historic Narayana Guru-Mahatma Gandhi dialogue, an event organised by Mangaluru University and attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet ministers and senior Congress leaders.
A group of party workers raised slogans expressing support for Shivakumar as Venugopal exited the terminal.
Following Siddaramaiah's arrival here, his supporters countered with slogans like 'Siddu, Siddu, Poornaavadhi Siddu' (Full term CM Siddaramaiah).
The incident comes amid speculations that the Congress high command may revisit the reported internal understanding that Shivakumar would take over as Chief Minister mid-term—a claim repeatedly denied by the party but kept alive by sections within the state unit.
Speaking to reporters, Mithun Rai, a leader of the pro-Shivakumar group, insisted that there were “no rival camps” within the party, but acknowledged that many workers “would be happy to see D K Shivakumar become the Chief Minister.”
He described the slogan-shouting as an expression of “natural affection” for the Deputy CM among grassroots cadres.
The Congress in Karnataka has been facing recurring questions over leadership transition since the assembly election victory in 2023.
While both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly maintained that the government is united, recent statements by their supporters—including MLAs openly batting for Shivakumar's elevation—have kept the debate alive.
Last week, Siddaramaiah dismissed talks of a change in leadership in the state as “baseless speculation,” while Shivakumar reiterated that his focus was on strengthening the party and delivering on governance.
The high command has also attempted to downplay the issue, saying the government is stable and functioning smoothly.
However, the Mangaluru episode is being viewed as another indication of simmering sentiment among a section of party workers, particularly those identified with Shivakumar’s organisational influence in the state.
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Ahead of good Friday, SWR announces special train between Yesvantpur-Kannur via Mangaluru
Bengaluru: Ahead of the upcoming Good Friday festival weekend, the South Western Railway has announced a one-trip special train service between Yesvantpur Junction and Kannur via Mangaluru Junction.
According to an official released from the SWR, Train Number 06551 Yesvantpur–Kannur Express Special will depart Yesvantpur at 11.50 am on April 2 and is scheduled to arrive Kannur at 3.00 am on April 3.
In the return direction, Train Number 06552 Kannur–Yesvantpur Express Special will leave Kannur at 8.45 am on April 3 and reach Yesvantpur at 9.30 pm the same day.
The special train will halt at Kunigal, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpura, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Bantawala, Mangaluru Junction, Kasaragod, Kanhangad and Payyannur.
The train composition will have two AC two-tier coaches, six AC three-tier coaches, seven sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches.
