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Observers noted that as Rahul’s helicopter landed, Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of officials and dignitaries to reach him first
The conversation happened on the tarmac under tight security as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district. Image: Videograb/News18
The political corridors of Karnataka were abuzz on Tuesday after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was spotted in a brief but intense one-on-one conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru Airport. The meeting has triggered intense speculation through the party ranks, coming just hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly downplayed any political agenda regarding Gandhi’s visit.
The interaction took place on the tarmac under a high-security blanket as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.
Helipad Huddle. DK Shivakumar’s hush-hush chat with Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru Airport fuels wild leadership buzz. Perhaps dejavu for old-timers, will bring back memories of Rajiv Gandhi’s airport whisper that axed Veerendra Patil as CM for “health” reasons in 1990. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/Xk4AQ49bM4— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) January 13, 2026
Witnesses at the airport observed that as Rahul Gandhi’s chopper touched down, DK Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of waiting officials and dignitaries to reach the leader first. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present at the airport to see off the high command leader, he reportedly remained a significant distance from the helipad, leaving Shivakumar and Gandhi to converse in private for approximately five minutes.
The visual of the duo huddled away from the larger delegation has immediately triggered fresh rumors of a power-sharing transition, particularly as internal pressure regarding the Chief Ministerial post continues to simmer.
The timing of this “secret” huddle is particularly notable given the Chief Minister’s earlier remarks to the press, where he dismissed all talk of leadership change as mere media creation and insisted there were no political discussions on the agenda.
Sources close to the Deputy Chief Minister confirmed the length of the interaction but remained tight-lipped about the specific topics discussed. With Shivakumar scheduled to visit New Delhi on January 16 for meetings regarding the Assam elections, this unexpected five-minute window in Mysuru is being viewed by political analysts as a critical strategic move by the KPCC President to assert his position directly with the party’s central leadership.
CM Siddaramaiah addressed the media in Mysuru after receiving Rahul Gandhi and said that there is no speculation and balmed the media for creating it. “It’s a baseless question you’re asking. There is no confusion in the party, it’s just in the papers. Either I or DK Shivakumar should speak about it. But have we spoke? No, right? It is us who will get the info. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the High Command decides. MLAs won’t know anything. Would the High Command tell them anything? No. Media is creating confusion. Not anyone else. I went to have breakfast to DK Shivakumar’s residence to have breakfast, he came to mine. We both have decided to abide by whatever the High Command decides,” he said after meeting Rahul Gandhi.
Mysore, India, India
January 13, 2026, 22:47 IST
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