Overview

• Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar performed the traditional ‘baagina’ offering on the Kabini River on Sunday to signal reconciliation after the chief minister omitted his deputy’s name at a Mysuru party convention.
• The chief minister described the earlier omission as adherence to protocol, stating it is customary to acknowledge only those present, while Shivakumar explained he left for a legal appointment in Delhi that day.
• BJP leaders seized on the episode to allege a power struggle, with R. Ashok calling the event a deliberate attempt to “floor” Shivakumar and Jagadish Shettar warning of midterm leadership ambitions.
• Congress high command emissaries have reportedly dismissed any rotational or midterm chief ministership pact, affirming that Siddaramaiah will serve his full five-year term.
• Despite the unity gesture, persistent rumours of a succession deal underscore ongoing factional tensions within Karnataka’s Congress and questions about government cohesion.