Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar showcase 'unity' amid Congress' bid to remove factionalism in Karnataka

The two top leaders held hand-in-hand and gave high-five at a public event in Mysuru.

"Our government will last for five years... like a rock," said the Chief Minister as quoted by NDTV.

Senior Congress leader RV Deshpande said as quoted by the television channel, "Yes, Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister for the full five-year term. There is no proposal or discussion about changing... This topic has not come up in the legislature party meeting nor has anyone spoken to me about it. We are united..."

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who were looking in all happy faces on Monday, fought each other to grab the Chief Minister's post after Congress won Karnataka in 2023.

Last year, Shivakumar had questioned the Congress government's Shakti scheme that allows free travel in buses for women saying some women are willing to pay fares.

Shivakumar had said as quoted by Deccan Herald, "This guarantee was announced by Rahul Gandhi in Mangaluru. Some women (now) say they are ready to pay but conductors won't accept it.

"That's one class, comprising maybe 5-10 per cent. We will sit down with (Transport Minister) Ramalinga Reddy and discuss these things."

Later, he made a U-turn after being pulled up by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Siddaramaiah on Monday informed Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala will visit the state to strengthen the party organisation.

The Chief Minister slammed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for questioning the stability of the state government.