Amid the ongoing power struggle in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said all is well within the state unit of the Congress and refuted allegations of a rift between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shivakumar said he was well aware of his “limitations” as Karnataka Congress president. He also shared that the party’s sole focus is to prepare a strategy for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. “There is no difference between me and the CM. Being the party president, I know my limits. Nowhere have I made any comments or expressed a difference of opinion with the CM. We are all working together,” he said. “There are many aspirations of the people of Karnataka, and we are committed to work for them,” he added. Sharing the Congress’s vision for the 2028 polls, Shivakumar said, “Our target is 2028 and 2029, and we are working for it. The CM and I will work out a strategy.” He said that the Karanataka CM duo wants to convene an all-party meeting on various issues. Siddaramaiah vs Shivakumar Although Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar aimed to send a message of harmony, the opposition dismissed the meeting as a “break-up par make-up”, claiming that the leaders were simply trying to cover up their internal differences with a show of solidarity. Speculations of a leadership change in Karnataka rose on November 20, when the Siddaramaiah-led government completed its half-term. Siddaramaiah, the current CM, insists that he will complete his five-year term, citing the mandate given by the people of Karnataka. He emphasized his commitment to fulfilling the party’s promises, including the five guarantee schemes. Shivakumar, on the other hand, is pushing for a leadership change, citing a “secret agreement” among senior leaders that he should take over as CM after 2.5 years. The high command, headed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, is expected to take a decision soon. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar expressed willingness to abide by the party’s decision. The tussle, fueled by the 2023 “power-sharing deal” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, has driven loyalists from each side to rally support for their leaders’ claims to the state’s top job. (With ANI input)