NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday clarified that his recent social media post on “word power” was meant to mark Constitution Day and was addressed to the legal fraternity after chief minister Siddaramaiah countered him thorough a social media post amid ongoing debate over leadership and political messaging.Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar explained the intent behind his post and said, “Yesterday I was speaking on the our Constitution day. Whatever judges speak, whatever politicians speak, whatever is speak is very much important. I said that all you, all the advocates for all the advocate. I said when you speak you should be. When you convey the message, it should be very important.” His clarification followed a sharp exchange between the two senior leaders that played out publicly. On Wednesday, Shivakumar wrote on X that “WORD POWER IS WORLD POWER. The biggest force in the world is 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.” Siddaramaiah responded later using similar phrasing to assert that the mandate belongs to the government for a full term, stressing he intends to complete five years in office. Shivakumar said his post was being read in a political context, but insisted the message was broader. He added, “That is what I am telling. Whatever we speak in our world that is called Pratikna. That is the word our tongue. That is. I said world power is world power. Wherever in the world. Whatever you speak is very much important. Whatever you also tell in your media also tell. Your anchor also speak. Whether your reporter speak, that is important. That is the power.”The clarification came amid intensifying discussions over leadership transition in Karnataka after the Congress government completed two and a half years in office, a point at which Shivakumar’s supporters believe a rotational understanding from 2023 should take effect. While Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained his intent to serve a full five-year term, Shivakumar’s recent remarks and online posts have been interpreted as renewed signalling of his claim to the post.The exchange marked a departure from previous months, where comments had largely come from supporters of both leaders rather than from the two principals themselves. The matter now rests with the Congress high command, as both sides await direction on whether the leadership question will be settled or deferred.
