- The Changing of the Guard in Karnataka: The Dawn of the DKS Era
DK Shivakumar’s swearing is a formality which will take place on the afternoon of June 3. He told the media that it would be a simple ceremony. It was a pleasant surprise to political observers and the Congressmen that the transition from Siddaramaiah (Siddu)’s era to DK’s era is taking place seamlessly which is far from the Congress culture. In Kerala when the Congress high command took its sweet time in selecting the chief minister candidates after the announcement of the results, the supporters of the present chief minister Satheesan took out a protest rally. Ultimately, the party high command has taken right decision in Kerala and also Karnataka.
The Mechanics of the Power Share
Siddaramaiah has resigned on May 28 and the resignation was accepted by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on the 29th and DK Shivakumar was elected a CLP leader on the 30th. Waiting till June 3 for the swearing in was the choice of DK’s astrologer and the convenience of the Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi who will be attending the ceremony. Siddu has made it clear that he has resigned because Rahul Gandhi has asked him to do so. By temperament Siddu is not a pushover. He would not take resignation from the chief minister’s position lightly. He was a different politician when he was in JD(S) and even in 23 when he was made the CM bypassing DK who led Congress party to power. But this time he was so kind to DK and magnanimous in his attitude that the popular respect for him has gone up. Siddu must be remembering that it was the decision of the party high command in 2023 to split the term into two halves and he was to be CM for the first half and he should hand over the reins to his deputy DK after that time. He was allowed to stay in the position for a few more months helping him overtake Devaraj Urs’ record and become the longest serving chief minister in Karnataka’s history.
Balancing Regional Passions and National Strategy
Rahul likes Siddu. His plan is to give importance to OBCs and Dalits in his party. That was why he was very reluctant to ask Siddaramaiah, who was the only Congress OBC chief minister, to resign. But Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka were particular that the word given to DK at the time of selecting Siddarmaiah as CM that the tenure would be shared by both Suddu and DK equally has to be kept. Siddaramaiah had spoken to Sonia also. Rahul wanted Siddaramaiah to go to Delhi as Rajya Sabha Member. He was also assured by Rahul that he would be made the leader of opposition in the RS in place of Kharge and he would be an important part of the national team and the OBC face of the Congress. Somehow, Siddaramaiah did not show inclination so far to move to Delhi. People say his attachment to Karnataka is so strong that he cannot go away from the State. Siddarmaiah himself has proposed the name of DK as the CLP leader. DK on his part touched Siddu’s feet (pada namaskaram) on the other day. The two leaders have sent positive vibes to the Congressmen in Karnataka and outside. AICC’s General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala attended the CLP meeting on Saturday. Later DK met the Governor to stake his claim to form the government. Governor Gehlot agreed to administer the oath to DK and his new ministers on Wednesday. DK is likely to have two deputy chief ministers- one from OBC and the other from Muslim minority. So far so good.
The Electoral Roadmap for 2028
Rahul also was convinced that DK would be a better bet as chief minister when Karnataka goes to polls in 2028. Siddu has declared that he would not contest the 2028 elections. His AHINDA coalition would stay with Congress and he would be an asset to his party.
What is AHINDA?
AHINDA is a powerful social and political coalition in Karnataka. The term is a Kannada acronym standing for Alpasankhyavaru (minorities), Hindulidavaru (Backward classes), Dalitaru (Dalits). It was first coined by Devaraj Urs and the coalition was revitalized and turned a formidable electoral block by Congress leader Siddarmaiah. However, now he does not have the killer instinct. In contrast DK is a fighter and would leave no stone unturned to win another term for the Congress. Whether he would succeed in his efforts or not, he would surely try his best.
Siddaramaiah earned a good name as chief minister and finance minister. His ability to mobilize public opinion and his administrative acumen are acknowledged by one and all. He is about 78 now. He will be 80 by the time next elections are held. May be he wants to take it easy after seeing his son Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah take oath as a minister in DK’s cabinet. But the party needs him to showcase as a OBC face. It all depends on Rahul’s capacity to persuade him.
From Roots to Riches: The Profile of ‘DKS’
Eight-time MLA Doddaalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar, popularly called DKS, is without doubt a highly resourceful Congressman. He is considered as Party’s most important trouble shooter in South India. He was close to YSR, Jagan and Sharmila. There is a rumour that Sharmila may be fielded in the Rajya Sabha elections from Karnataka. The 64-year leader is known for his formidable political networking in Delhi power corridors and also taking care of his constituency. He is a declared businessman with his worth in hundreds of crores. He will be the richest chief minister overtaking Chandrababu Naidu. Born on 15 May 1962 into a modest Vokkaliga family in Kanakapura village in Bengaluru South district, DK entered politics when he was a student. He was a leader of Youth Congress. Though he did not have any political lineage, he built a strong network in Old Mysore region.
DK is a firm believer in the Hindu religious practices. He grew up as a Vokkaliga leader in the Congress party. He lost his first election against Deve Gowda in Sathanur constituency. He was elected to Karnataka Assembly from the same Sathanur constituency in 1989 defeating Deve Gowda’s son HD Kumaraswamy. That was his first victory and he was never defeated ever since. He became a minister at the age of 30 in Bangarappa government. When the Congress party denied him ticket, he contested as an independent and won. His rivalry with Deve Gowda family has been a defining feature of his political career. He helped a journalist and Congress candidate Tejaswini Gowda defeat Deve Gowda in Lok Sabha elections in 2004.
The Ultimate Loyalists and Future Challenges
DK’s national role has grown when he hosted Gujarat Congress MLAs in Bengaluru resort to help Ahmed Patel win a Rajya Sabha seat. He played similar role when Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Desmukh faced a no-confidence motion protecting the Congress MLAs at Bengaluru. His importance in the Congress party has naturally made him an enemy of the BJP. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in 2019 and kept him in Tihar jail for fifty days on the allegations of money laundering. Top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had visited him in jail to declare solidarity. As PCC president DK was instrumental in Congress victory in 2023. “I am a born Congressman; I will die as a Congressman” is his refrain which reminds the party workers about the importance of loyalty to the party. His mandate would be to rule Karnataka well so that the Congress will retain power in the assembly elections in 2028. He was deputy chief minister and KPCC president. Now a leader would be appointed as a PCC president. If he works closely with DK, the chances of Congress in next elections would be bright.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
