New Delhi, Nov. 28 -- In a significant development amid an escalating leadership tussle in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday invited his deputy DK Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting on Saturday, following clear instructions from the Congress high command to hold direct talks. The move comes as the party attempts to defuse intensifying internal tensions, even as senior leaders publicly insist that the Congress "has the sense of timing" to intervene at the right moment.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah confirmed that the party's central leadership had asked both leaders to meet.

"The party high command had called me and him (D K Shivkumar) and asked us to have a meeting. Hence, I have invited him for breakfast tomorrow. ...