I won’t indulge in factional politics and backstabbing: DKS

A day after a breakfast meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that has, for now, paused the talk on leadership and rotation of power in Karnataka Congress, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said that he would not indulge in “factional politics” and “backstabbing”. He also claimed that he had no differences with the Chief Minister.

“I have never indulged in factional politics. Though I can take eight to ten MLAs with me, I don’t do it. I go to Delhi alone. As KPCC president, I have to take everyone along. Even in (H.D.) Kumaraswamy government, I was sincere. Mr. Kumaraswamy’s father knows the effort I have put in to save the government. My brand of politics is direct,” he told reporters here.

“We are all working together. People of Karnataka have a lot of expectations from us and we have to fulfill their aspirations. Our goal is 2028 elections,” Mr. Shivakumar told media persons here.

After weeks of heightened factional politics that saw activities both in Delhi and Bengaluru, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister met for breakfast on Saturday after being nudged by the high command to sort out differences and end public statements by their respective followers that could damage the party.

However, it is being seen as a temporary truce ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament and the Winter Session of the State legislature.

Refusing to reveal the contents of his discussion with AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, he said, “I have discussed with everyone. I will not discuss [in public] what transpired at the meeting.”

On his visit to Delhi, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I have spoken with the Chief Minister on the sugarcane and maize issues that need to be discussed with Members of Parliament. I need to discuss with the Chief Minister regarding convening the all-party meeting.”

When his reaction was sought over the meeting of Minister Priyank Kharge with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, “Does a son need to put an application to meet with his father? You are reading too much into everything. It is not politics when father and son meet.”

Asked about BJP’s criticism that he was becoming a super CM, he said, “As an Opposition party, the BJP has to show the people that it is still alive. We can’t be bothered about BJP.”