A day after his brief interaction with Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar triggered fresh political speculation with a cryptic message on social media that has set the state’s power corridors buzzing.

Taking to X, Shivakumar wrote, “Even if the effort fails, the prayer does not fail.” The short but loaded statement has been widely interpreted as a political signal amid the ongoing undercurrent of tension between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over leadership in Karnataka.

Shivakumar, who has never hidden his ambition to become the Chief Minister, has repeatedly maintained that he is ready to shoulder the responsibility if the party leadership gives him the opportunity. On the other hand, Siddaramaiah has consistently said that the decision on leadership lies solely with the Congress high command.

The cryptic post came shortly after Rahul Gandhi held brief, separate interactions with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the Mysuru airport. Gandhi had landed at Mandakalli airport while returning to Delhi from Tamil Nadu, where he attended a party programme. Party sources said the meetings were informal and took place on the airport tarmac during the transit halt.

While the content of the conversations remains undisclosed, the timing has added fuel to speculation about internal discussions on leadership and power-sharing. Notably, in recent weeks, Shivakumar had reportedly made several attempts to meet Rahul Gandhi on this issue, but those efforts did not materialise until this brief encounter.