New Delhi: Amid swirling speculation over a possible change of leadership in Karnataka, Dy.CM D.K. Shivakumar occupied the Chief Minister’s suite in the newly inaugurated Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.

Sources confirmed that Shivakumar, who arrived in the national capital on Tuesday, checked into the exclusive fifth-floor suite — officially designated for the Chief Minister — at the plush new Karnataka Bhavan in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri.

The Deputy CM also held a series of meetings with party leaders from the same suite, sparking further political chatter.

In a contrasting move, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who reached Delhi on Wednesday, chose to stay in the older Karnataka Bhavan Annexe, opting for the fifth-floor CM suite there instead.

Interestingly, Siddaramaiah had stayed in the new Bhavan during a previous visit, but reportedly raised concerns over inadequate ventilation and other missing amenities, prompting his return to the more familiar comforts of the old Annexe.

Insiders say that since the new CM suite was vacant, Shivakumar requested Siddaramaiah’s consent to use it — an offer the Chief Minister is said to have readily accepted. Previously, Shivakumar stayed on the third floor of the old Annexe during his Delhi visits.

The new Karnataka Bhawan, a symbol of Karnataka’s modern aspirations, was inaugurated earlier this year and is already turning into the stage for subtle yet telling political signals.

As leadership rumours gather pace, this latest switch of suites is being seen as more than just a matter of comfort.