Word power is world power, says D.K. Shivakumar in a cryptic post on X on Karnataka leadership tussle

With the tussle over the Chief Minister’s post and power-sharing taking new twists and turns by the day, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who has been staking his claim for the top post, on Thursday (November 27, 2025) seemed to have taken a veiled dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior leaders of the party, with a cryptic post on X stating that “Word power is world power.”

Posting a message on X, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Keeping one’s word is the greatest strength in the world!” He further said, “The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word… Be it a judge, president, or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power.”

The message appears to be directed at the Chief Minister and his party bosses in New Delhi and reminding central leaders of the party on the much talked about power-sharing pact that was arrived when the party came to power back in 2023.

On Tuesday (November 25), Mr. Shivakumar made the first direct reference to the “power sharing pact” in the ruling Congress and said that it was “a secret among 5 to 6 people” and that he will not disclose it in public.

In what appears to be a desperate move, the KPCC chief has been holding parleys with loyalists of the Chief Minister. He had met Ministers B. Z. Zameer Ahmed, Satish Jakiholi, K.J. George, and many MLAs who are identified as close to the Chief Minister.

Sources claimed that Mr. Shivakumar has told the loyal ministers to Mr. Siddaramaiah that they would be “looked after well” after he becomes the Chief Minister and sought their support to secure the top post.

As the developments around the leadership issue are dragging on denting the image of the government, the high command, including AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, is expected to hold talks with Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar to resolve power-sharing issue amicably.