Delhi Confidential: On Hot Seat

Back from his six-day visit to Germany, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has a host of issues lined up before him, the most prominent being the Karnataka power tussle over the CM post. Although the Congress high-command has decided to hold a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar in the first week of January, the Deputy CM has arrived in the Capital with a hope to meet Gandhi separately, sources said. Gandhi may oblige Shivakumar but it is possible only when Siddaramaiah is also in town, said the sources. Till then, Shivakumar will have to wait.

Under Poll light

A meeting of the Union Cabinet scheduled for Wednesday has triggered speculation in the bureaucratic and political circles over the possibility of “significant decisions” for two south Indian states — Kerala and Tamil Nadu. While some insiders sought to downplay the meeting as a routine one, others said “big announcements” could be in the offing for the two states where Assembly elections are due in early 2026.