A possible settlement between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has emerged, signalling a calmer phase in the leadership tussle within the state Congress. While the final decision rests with the party leadership in Delhi, details of the so-called “compromise formula” are gradually becoming clearer.

Breakfast diplomacy calms tensions

After weeks of speculation over friction between the two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met over breakfast today. The meeting, aimed at projecting unity, served as a symbolic reset after their strained ties over the chief ministership question.

Analysts believe the optics were crucial — the Congress successfully avoided a public showdown by diffusing tensions before they escalated further.

A transition of power likely, say analysts

According to political observers, the compromise indicates a strong possibility of Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister in a smooth transition, potentially as early as March–April 2026.
For now, sources say the arrangement requires Shivakumar to continue as Deputy Chief Minister without pushing for immediate change.

In return, the formula reportedly includes more cabinet positions for leaders loyal to Shivakumar and continuation of his role as the state Congress chief. Siddaramaiah is also expected to back Shivakumar as the party’s face for the 2028 Assembly election.

Why the Congress prefers this route

Replacing Siddaramaiah abruptly would not only upset internal balance but could also weaken the party, given his stature and mass appeal. Shivakumar, despite his influence, does not have the numbers within the legislature to force a takeover, making compromise the most viable path.

Siddaramaiah has already stated that this will be his final term as Chief Minister. With his legacy secure and his position as one of Karnataka’s tallest leaders intact, he appears willing to enable a dignified transition when the time comes.

Variables that could shape the final outcome

The success of the formula depends on three key factors:

1. Trust between the two leaders

Whether Shivakumar believes Siddaramaiah will keep his word remains uncertain. Karnataka’s political history is full of last-minute shifts, giving rise to the phrase “natak in Karnataka”.

2. Decision-making by the Congress high command

Delhi’s leadership must ensure the transition happens on time and without internal resistance, especially in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly polls.

3. Caste equations and political alignment

Siddaramaiah is the strongest face of the AHINDA bloc, while Shivakumar represents the OBC Vokkaliga community. The Congress cannot afford to alienate either group, making the timing and execution of any transition extremely delicate.

Cyclone Ditwah, which has already caused massive destruction in Sri Lanka, is moving towards the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, prompting widespread alerts, flight cancellations and school closures across the region.

Cyclone intensifies over Bay of Bengal

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm continues to move in a north-northwest direction and is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by November 30.
The IMD said the system was centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and north Sri Lanka at 8:30 am today, travelling at 8 kmph.

The cyclone is projected to move even closer to the Tamil Nadu coastline within hours — at distances of 60 km by midnight, 50 km by early morning, and 25 km by tomorrow evening.

123 dead in Sri Lanka, over 100 missing

Sri Lanka has been hit hardest so far, with at least 123 deaths and more than 100 people reported missing due to torrential rain and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The country’s meteorological officials confirmed that the storm has now exited the island but warned that heavy rainfall and strong winds will persist for some time.

Chennai flights disrupted amid severe weather forecast

Chennai Airport has suspended 54 scheduled flights as a precaution, anticipating extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 48 hours. The cancellations include several regional turboprop services to Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaffna.
Both arrivals and departures have been halted, and airlines have advised passengers to avoid last-minute travel to the airport.

Schools shut in parts of Tamil Nadu

Amid warnings of intense rainfall across Tamil Nadu, multiple districts have ordered school closures to ensure student safety. Authorities remain on alert as the cyclone edges closer to the coast.

Amid escalating tensions between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the Congress high command has intervened, urging both leaders to resolve their differences. Following this push, Siddaramaiah has invited Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting tomorrow to discuss the ongoing rift.

High command steps in as leaders trade cryptic remarks

The disagreement between the two senior leaders became publicly visible after an exchange of indirect remarks on social media. DK Shivakumar posted a message stressing the importance of “keeping one’s word”, which was widely interpreted as a reminder of the rumoured 2023 “rotational chief minister formula”. According to that supposed understanding — never officially confirmed — Shivakumar was expected to take over as Chief Minister after 2.5 years.

Responding soon after, Siddaramaiah wrote that a “word is not power unless it betters the world for the people”, calling the mandate a full five-year responsibility. Sources said such public exchanges did not sit well with the party’s senior leadership.

Breakfast meet likely to ease tensions

Confirming that the high command had intervened, Siddaramaiah said he had called Shivakumar for a breakfast discussion. “When he comes for breakfast, we will discuss this. Both of us have said we will follow whatever the high command decides,” he stated. He also expressed willingness to travel to Delhi if called for talks.

Shivakumar, meanwhile, downplayed any urgency from his end. “I am not in a hurry. The party will take all decisions,” he told reporters, insisting that he wanted nothing for himself.

Rumoured formula resurfaces as government reaches halfway mark

Speculation around the power-sharing formula has intensified since the Congress government crossed its halfway point on November 20. The topic gained further attention after Shivakumar hinted at a “secret deal” involving senior leaders, although he refrained from revealing details.

Recent moves by some Congress legislators backing Shivakumar — including a visit to Delhi — also fuelled speculation, though Shivakumar claimed he was unaware of their purpose.