Karnataka Congress Leaders Deny Infighting Amid Row Over Dinner Meet: 'No Political Discussions Took Place'

When asked about demands for a cabinet reshuffle and changes in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership, DK Shivakumar stated that no discussions on these matters had taken place.

Despite these denials, reports suggest that the dinner meeting, held on January 2 at Jarkiholi's residence, involved discussions on significant political moves.

Source : X

As reports suggested alleged internal rifts within Karnataka Congress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar denied claims of infighting in the party. Earlier, reports suggested that Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi hosted a dinner meeting in the absence of DK Shivakumar, who is also Karnataka Congress chief. On the report, Siddaramaiah clarified that the gathering was a New Year celebration with no political undertones. 

"It was a New Year's dinner, and no political discussions took place. The focus remains on strengthening the party, and the media reports suggesting otherwise are baseless," Siddaramaiah said, as per a report on IANS.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar dismissed the controversy emphasising that such gatherings are routine in politics. "I often organize similar gatherings. This meeting has been unnecessarily politicized. I was abroad with my family, as I had not traveled with them in years. There is nothing unusual about the dinner," he said, as per the report. Responding to speculation about the timing of the dinner, Shivakumar noted that several ministers were also out of the country and added, "Those who were in Bengaluru attended. There is nothing unusual about it."

When asked about demands for a cabinet reshuffle and changes in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership, Shivakumar stated that no discussions on these matters had taken place. "These are decisions for the Chief Minister to make, and he will address them when necessary," he said.

Despite these denials, reports suggest that the dinner meeting, held on January 2 at Jarkiholi's residence, involved discussions on significant political moves. Allegedly, strategies were considered to replace Shivakumar as KPCC president and to create additional Deputy Chief Minister posts, primarily involving leaders from backward communities.

Following this, the BJP seized the opportunity to criticize Shivakumar and question his influence within the party. Referring to the dinner meeting attended by seven cabinet ministers and 34 MLAs, BJP leaders mocked Shivakumar, suggesting he was a "leader in name only."