On this broadcast, the focus is on the intensifying internal power struggle within the Karnataka Congress. A crucial breakfast meeting was held at the Chief Minister's residence, reportedly at the specific instruction of the High Command to resolve differences between the state's top two leaders. An unidentified speaker emphasized that while the meeting was an attempt to project unity and end the 'dirty social media banter', the desire to retain the top post remains unchanged. The programme highlights the deadline set by the party leadership for December 1st and the implications for the upcoming Belagavi Assembly session. The discussion also touches upon the opposition BJP and JDS planning their own strategy to exploit this internal rift, while questions remain about whether a smooth transition of power is even possible given the current political climate and upcoming state elections.
00:00Anika Keshav, who's joining us from right outside the Chief Minister's residence where the breakfast meet will be happening.
00:07Anika, good morning. I hope you can hear me loud and clear.
00:09The message from Sidra Maya is very clear that the reason he's called this meeting is because the high command wants him to.
00:15It doesn't change the fact that he will and he wants to remain the Chief Minister, as he says.
00:24Well, good morning to you as well, Lakshita.
00:26You know, it looks like it took a dirty social media banter between two veteran politicians for the Congress high command to finally wake up
00:33and then summon these two veteran leaders to have a discussion on their own and then assure them that they will be invited to Delhi.
00:40So look at, you know, to what extent it has taken for the AICC high command to finally take note of what's happening.
00:47There was endless delays. The high command, you know, there were pressure that was put on the high command.
00:52But it's only now when things got so ugly on social media with the wordplay banter that took place,
00:58with the constant media attention, back-to-back MLAs openly taking sides as to who they want to support.
01:05It's, you know, it's taken this long for the Congress high command to wake up
01:08and then summon these two leaders to have a talk on their own.
01:12We believe the breakfast is going to happen at around 9.30.
01:15We're reporting outside the Chief Minister's residence.
01:17It was KC Venu Gopal who instructed Sidra Maya and D.K. Shukmar, the two veteran politicians of Karnataka,
01:23to have a talk on their own, sort out all their differences and then come out to show a sign of unity.
01:29Let's also not forget that this tussle within the Congress has given enough of an ammunition to the BJP and JDS
01:36to take potshots at Congress.
01:38And therefore, the BJP and JDS also have a meeting scheduled.
01:43They say it's going to be regarding the Belagavi Assembly session, but this is also likely to be on the table.
01:50They are going to discuss as to how, you know, being in opposition,
01:53how they are going to take this forward about this internal tussle that's going on in Congress.
01:58It will be interesting to see what really happens going forward.
02:06Now, it doesn't change anything.
02:07Let's be very, very clear that this breakfast meet doesn't mean the end of the fight, the bickering, none of that.
02:14It still continues.
02:15The confusion, the chaos still continues.
02:17The high command is waking up and smelling the coffee now to what's happening.
02:21And so that's why they've said, go ahead and literally meet over coffee.
02:25But that doesn't change the fact that the high command needs to act.
02:28In the next 24 hours, wake hearing, there will be meetings that will happen in Delhi that could decide what happens in Karnataka.
02:35But the idea is to ensure that even if there is a transition or whatever happens going forward,
02:40there's no bad blood, there's no ugliness, there's no all-out bickering or camps that are created.
02:46There will be some question whether it's a bit too late for that as well.
02:50And I'll bring in Nagarjun also on this.
02:52Naga, this meeting, to me, doesn't change anything.
02:56Look, the photo op is great that D.K. Shivkumar and Sidra Maya are fine with each other.
03:01But the fact that Sidra Maya says, I will continue to want to be the chief minister itself tells you.
03:06That's absolutely true.
03:08It's going to just be optics and photo op.
03:10Nothing concrete would come out of this breakfast meet.
03:12You and I both know that this situation right now has gone beyond the point of no return.
03:18There is no going back for D.K. Shivkumar.
03:20There's no going back for chief minister Sidra Maya.
03:22D.K. Shivkumar will have to go to Delhi and come back either as CM or Bari's ego and then be the deputy chief minister till 2028.
03:29There's nothing like I will give him the beton at 27 or maybe six months later, seven months later.
03:35It's very unlikely that to happen or transpire.
03:38Because politically, it doesn't suit Karnataka, right?
03:42Because if you tell in the meeting that let's assume that chief minister will be the CM till April or May, because you also have five state elections coming up, West Bengal, Kairla, Tamil Nadu also, then what happens to the bureaucracy?
03:55Will D.K. Shivkumar be okay in waiting for the next five months?
03:58And also, every day is counting.
04:00The five months he sits in the CM chair, for all you know, more MLS might come to chief minister's camp and hence D.K. will be left far behind in the race.
04:08So, it will not suit D.K. Shivkumar and for the chief minister, he'll try much harder to convince the party high command saying, one, February that I overtake Devra Jars and be the longest serving chief minister of Karnataka.
04:21Number two, I want to present my 17th budget in March 2026.
04:25These are the two benchmarks that he would put so that the Congress party high command would agree to it.
04:30If not till 27, at least give me the three months.
04:33I've done so much for the party.
04:34I've been leader of the opposition for twice and chief minister twice.
04:37I agree that party has given me everything, but you also have to know I bring in some, my own credibility to the party.
04:43Because of me, the Ahinda vote bank solidified behind Congress party.
04:47That's the narration that chief minister will put.
04:49But this meeting right now, both of them, of course, will say, for all you know, D.K. Shivkumar will remind about the promise that they had.
04:56Sir, you did promise me. We shook hands on it.
04:59I'm only requesting you to please, this is honoured and ensure that the smooth transition happens.
05:04I need your cooperation, sir. Please don't do this.
05:06I have been long waiting in the line to be the chief minister.
05:09You have had power for two and a half years.
05:11I have given you all the cooperation.
05:13And chief minister himself will say, Mr. D.K., I have not stopped you to become chief minister.
05:17The ball lies with the high command.
05:19I am telling you right now, as we eat the idli, whenever Rahul Gandhi, Mallika Arjun Kargit tells me to step down,
05:25not a second move.
05:26I will come directly from the airport to Raj Bhavan and I would resign, is what chief ministers would say.
05:32Chief minister camp members have pumped the chief minister to say that, don't say this.
05:38Tell Rahul Gandhi or Mallika Arjun Kargit, if they tell you to resign, give me two days' time.
05:42I will come back and think over it.
05:44Sit over it.
05:45Take a step back.
05:45Be alone.
05:46Think over it.
05:47And then decide.
05:48Don't just jump into decision saying that, I'm willing to resign.
05:51So, don't do that.
05:52Take time for yourself.
05:54Hold your thoughts.
05:55Process what is happening and then decide is what CM associate members love.
05:59People who are in CM's house, usually the ministers and MLAs have given that opinion.
06:04Chief minister will be on the same line saying, D.K., I am not stopping you.
06:08As soon as high command tells me, I will resign.
06:10But D.K.
06:11Shukmar will convince CM saying, sir, why don't you tell the high command saying, yes, there was a promise made.
06:16In front of Rahul Gandhi, why don't you open up more and tell him that, yes, we shook hands on this promise.
06:22Interesting.
06:22Interesting what's going to happen.
06:24But what's clear is that neither of them are backing down.
06:26And we're talking about two master politicians in that sense.
06:30You know, both of them know exactly what to do.
06:32It's a game of chess.
06:33Always is when it comes to politics.
06:35And each of them knows exactly which is the right move to make, which is what makes this all the more difficult for the high command as well.
06:41But let's run up for you all the updates that have come in so far on this story.
06:47In the last 24 hours, a whole lot has happened.
06:49But is the power tussle in Karnataka finally going to end?
06:54Well, there's a possibility because tomorrow there's a crucial meeting of the high command in the national capital.
06:59There's this breakfast meet that's happening today as well.
07:01It definitely seems like a lot is happening.
07:04Things are gaining momentum.
07:05There are meetings.
07:06There are huddles taking place.
07:08And reportedly, the high command has set a deadline of December 1st.
07:11December 1st is the deadline to close off the chapter.
07:14So, by then, if they want to go by their own deadline, they have to take a call.
07:18Is it D.K.
07:19Shivkumar or is it Sidramaya?
07:21Now, these talks that we're going to see today in this breakfast meet has essentially been facilitated by the high command,
07:29who according to Sidramaya called both leaders and urged them to resolve the differences.
07:33Mind you, so far there's been no statement from D.K.
07:35Shivkumar.
07:36Now, let's play out for you all the reactions that have come in.
08:08It's only a breakfast meeting.
08:14Sir, but what is the high command said to you so far?
08:20High command told me and y'all's high command told D.K. Shivkumar also that we should meet and discuss.
08:30Right.
08:31But all things amicable between you both?
08:33But my stand is, whatever high command says, I will go by it.
08:39All right, sir.
08:39If you want to turn into a political turmoil, yes, it can happen.
08:44But, you know, the leaders here of the Congress party who are in the responsible position and also our high command representative, whoever it may be,
08:56I think they should have forced in some of these developments.
09:01It's not a sudden development.
09:03This is a development which is ongoing development last six years.
09:09I mean, last two and a half years.
09:11So, I think it is the, I think rather it is a negligence of the Congress leaders for allowing this impasse to develop.
09:21I think it is a very important thing.
09:51And in truth, we will be able to vote again.
09:54CM and MTCM both are in a very egoistic attitude.
10:01They are not ready to budget inch.
10:03Therefore, the high command is compelled to think of the other alternative.
10:10So, in this context, a dark horse match emerge in the state.
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