Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar: A public bonhomie that never let up

Though the Siddaramaiah and the D.K. Shivakumar-led factions within the Congress in the State, the bonhomie they sported in public never let up. 

Even on Tuesday, when both were in the AICC office in Delhi to discuss transfer of power, they were seen discussing together. On Thursday, when Mr. Siddaramaiah eventually resigned, Mr. Shivakumar was seen touching his feet and both were clicked in a warm embrace. 

While Mr. Shivakumar never publicly commented on the supposed power sharing pact between them, Mr. Siddaramaiah always maintained that in a democracy there was nothing wrong in his deputy aspiring to be Chief Minister. 

Even when their respective supporters made public statements targeting the other, the two leaders would often diffuse tension by appearing together, raising hands to signify their unity. After a fracas over transfer of power in November, 2025, the two leaders hosted breakfast for each other, ahead of the Winter Session in Belagavi to present a united front.

Recently, Mr. Siddaramaiah speaking in the Assembly said the silk shawl he was wearing was a gift from Mr. Shivakumar. 

True to the bonhomie they have been displaying for over four years now, starting from the run up to the 2023 assembly polls, the transition of power which was feared to be messy, seems to have happened smoothly as well.