Siddaramaiah issued a detailed statement on his official account, mirroring the language used by Shivakumar earlier in the day. Crucially, it subtly hinted at Siddaramaiah’s intent to serve the full five-year term.
Published Nov 27, 2025 | 9:15 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 27, 2025 | 9:15 PM
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (X)
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended his administration by highlighting the progress of the Congress government’s “guarantee” schemes, in what appeared to be a response to criticism from opposition parties, which alleged anarchy and misgovernance after a cryptic post from Deputy Chief Minister DKShivakumar’s X handle triggered fresh speculation about a possible change in leadership.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended his governance record, presenting the achievements of his “guarantee” schemes, seemingly in response to trolling by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)].
A cryptic post on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s official X handle on the morning of Thursday, 27 November, invited scorn from the opposition, each party relishing the chance to launch scathing attacks on both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah and to portray the ongoing speculation over a potential leadership change as evidence of the government’s dysfunction.
In response, Siddaramaiah issued a detailed statement on his official account, mirroring the language used by Shivakumar earlier in the day.
“A word is not power unless it betters the world for the people. Proud to declare that the Shakti scheme has delivered over 600 crore free trips to the women of our state,” the Chief Minister wrote, listing the government’s progress on its flagship guarantees.
“From the very first month of forming the government, we transformed our guarantees into action; not in words, but on the ground.”
Crucially, the post subtly hinted at Siddaramaiah’s intent to serve the full five-year term.
“The mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years. The Congress party, including me, is walking the talk for our people with compassion, consistency, and courage,” he wrote.
A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.
Proud to declare that the Shakti scheme has delivered over 600 crore free trips to the women of our state. From the very first month of forming the government, we transformed our guarantees into action; not in… pic.twitter.com/lke1J7MnbD
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 27, 2025
The Congress government completed half of its five-year term on 20 November, and speculation about Shivakumar taking over the top job from Siddaramaiah, as per a reportedly agreed pact after the 2023 Assembly elections, had been building up until then.
But when a section of party MLAs seen as loyal to Shivakumar camped in Delhi to allegedly lobby the high command on his behalf, the speculation reached a deafening pitch.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have continued to say that any decision on a possible leadership change in the state will be taken only by the high command. However, the Deputy Chief Minister’s post on X on the morning of Thursday, 27 November, renewed fresh speculation.
“Word power is world power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word.” The post used the past tense, “was” instead of “is”. “Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power,” the message read.
Shivakumar, however, denied posting the cryptic message. Terming it fabricated, the Deputy Chief Minister insisted that he had not made the statement on X. Nevertheless, the post was interpreted as a reminder to the Congress high command.
The BJP and the JD(S) both used Shivakumar’s post to question the stability of the government, mocking the Deputy Chief Minister and the Chief Minister.
“Farmers are crying, infrastructure is collapsing, and prices are skyrocketing. Karnataka is in crisis. But Congress leaders have just one priority: fighting over the CM’s chair. Power first. People never,” a post by the BJP read.
Another post alleged misgovernance: “Farmers are crying, infrastructure is collapsing, and prices are skyrocketing. Karnataka is in crisis. But Congress leaders have just one priority: fighting over the CM’s chair. Power first. People never.”
A third post accused the Congress of bringing the administration to a standstill:
“The ongoing discussion about the CM change in the state has created anarchy… Due to the tussle for the chair, development has become a pie in the sky… Rather than running the administration so pathetically, dissolve the Congress government.”
The JD(S) took direct aim at Shivakumar for his alleged failures.
“Failing to keep one’s word is the greatest betrayal! Isn’t it, DK Shivakumar?” its official account posted, accusing him of failing to fill potholes on time, mishandling Bengaluru’s infrastructure, and not delivering Mekedatu water or monthly guarantee payments.
“What should we call you, who has broken promises and keeps breaking them? The so-called great hero who doesn’t keep his word!”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
