D.K. Shivakumar skips Davos visit citing busy schedule

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has called off his proposed visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, citing prior official commitments in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

According to an official statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Shivakumar has several meetings scheduled with AICC leaders in connection with the Assam Assembly elections. He is also leading the State’s campaign against the NDA government over the Union government replacing the MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G Act. A special session of the Karnataka legislature on this issue is set to begin on January 22.

Sparking speculation

His decision to skip the Davos summit, scheduled from January 19 to 23, and his return to New Delhi after earlier engagements, have sparked speculation about the stability of the current leadership in the State.

The development follows a brief interaction between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Mr. Shivakumar in Mysuru on Tuesday, adding to rumours that the party’s high command may be intervening in the ongoing leadership tussle.

The internal power struggle within the ruling Congress has gained momentum since the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. Speculation has also been fuelled by reports of a “power-sharing” understanding between Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil will instead represent Karnataka at the World Economic Forum.