'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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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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