'Mandate not for a moment but 5 years': Siddaramaiah hits back at deputy’s ‘word power’ jibe amid rotational CM debate
Karnataka’s simmering power tussle burst into the open on Thursday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly countered his deputy DK Shivakumar’s pointed remark on political commitment.
Earlier in the day, Shivakumar had remarked at an event, “Word power is world power… keeping a promise is the greatest strength.”
The comment was widely seen as a reference to the long-disputed “rotational Chief Minister” understanding that Shivakumar’s camp claimed was promised to him when the Congress formed government in 2023.
Siddaramaiah, who had so far brushed aside the controversy, chose to respond this evening.
A word is not power unless it improves the world for the people, he wrote, adding that the mandate given to Congress was a responsibility for 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," Siddaramaiah wrote on X.
"Our word to Karnataka is not a slogan — it means the world to us,” he said.
A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 27, 2025
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
The exchange has revived the old question: was Shivakumar promised the Chief Minister’s chair halfway through the term? While his supporters insist such a commitment was made, Siddaramaiah has repeatedly denied it, and the Congress high command has maintained silence.
However, with the government having crossed the 2.5-year mark, the issue has resurfaced sharply.
At his event on Thursday, Shivakumar also made a thinly veiled dig at those “who do not understand the value of a chair”, hinting once again at leadership ambitions.
According to NDTV's sources, Siddaramaiah, who earlier signalled he wished to continue until the next budget, has now mobilised supporters prepared to head to Delhi if the party leadership considers a change at the top.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to discuss the matter with the Gandhis, after which both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi, setting the stage for a decisive round of talks.
The political storm over one “word” has now become the latest flashpoint in Karnataka’s Congress government.
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