Time Will Tell: DK Shivakumar on Delhi Meetings Amid Karnataka Leadership Speculation

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday declined to share details of his recent meetings with the Congress high command in New Delhi, saying that “time will tell everything,” even as his presence in the national capital triggered fresh speculation about possible leadership changes in the state.

Shivakumar, who is currently camped in Delhi after cancelling his scheduled visit to the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, urged the media not to overinterpret his stay. Speaking to reporters at Karnataka Bhavan, he said political engagements were routine and should not be sensationalised.

“Politics is what politicians do, and we are all politicians. It is what all politicians do, and there is nothing unusual about it. Whom we meet and who meets US is decided by convenience. Why are you making this a big issue? We come here for government work, party work and political work,” Shivakumar said.

When asked directly whether he had met senior Congress leaders during his visit, the Deputy Chief Minister neither confirmed nor denied it. “Why should I reveal that? Everything will become clear with time,” he remarked.

Shivakumar’s prolonged stay in Delhi has coincided with renewed speculation about a possible leadership transition in Karnataka. The Siddaramaiah-led government crossed the halfway point of its tenure in November 2025, reigniting discussions within political circles about a potential shift in leadership.

There are also reports suggesting internal competition within the party, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara being cited as key figures in the ongoing political dynamics.

Last week, Shivakumar cancelled his proposed visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, citing official commitments in Bengaluru and New Delhi. The annual global summit is scheduled to begin on January 18.

According to a statement released by Shivakumar’s office on Saturday, the Deputy Chief Minister is leading the party’s campaign against the Union government over issues related to MGNREGA. He also has several meetings lined up with AICC leaders concerning the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.

These engagements have also resulted in the Karnataka Assembly convening a five-day special session beginning January 22.

Despite official explanations, Shivakumar’s absence from the Davos summit has added fuel to speculation about renewed power tussles within the Karnataka Congress. The discussions have been further amplified by references to the alleged “power-sharing” arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.