India, Nov. 27 -- Karnataka's simmering power tussle burst into the open on Thursday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly countered his deputy DK Shivakumar's pointed remark on political commitment.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar had remarked at an event, "Word power is world power. keeping a promise is the greatest strength."

The comment was widely seen as a reference to the long-disputed "rotational Chief Minister" understanding that Shivakumar's camp claimed was promised to him when the Congress formed government in 2023.

Siddaramaiah, who had so far brushed aside the controversy, chose to respond this evening.

"The mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years. The ...