‘Can’t Be In Karnataka Congress Permanently’: DK Shivakumar Hints At Stepping Down As KPCC Chief | Politics News

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at stepping down as the Karnataka Congress chief, saying the opportunity to serve in the party must be given to other leaders and that he would remain in a leadership role.

“Whether I’m around or not is immaterial. There is a dream of building 100 Congress offices. They (Delhi) have asked me for a list of those MLAs who have shown interest and those who have not. I will send that list. Some have shown interest, some have not, some want only power,” he said at a party event to mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

“Those who do not have an interest in building the Congress offices — Delhi will give you an answer. This is what I intend to do — at least 100 offices of the Congress I will build in my tenure. I may be there or not there, but that is not the point,” he added.

‘Will Be In Leadership Role’

When some party workers expressed concern over his uncertain tenure as state Congress chief, he said, “I cannot be here (KPCC) permanently. I am telling you all. I have completed 5.5 years, and in March, I will complete 6 years. There must be an opportunity for others to come, but don’t worry, I will be in the leadership role. I will be there on the frontline.”

“Where I am is not important. I am confident the Congress will come back to power in Karnataka. Don’t lose hope. We should all live on hope and continue working. We will get power, don’t worry. But to achieve it, we must work hard,” he told party workers.

Shivakumar was appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President in May 2020. He had first intended to resign as KPCC President upon becoming deputy chief minister in May 2023, but was asked by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi to continue for some more time.

Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and former Minister K N Rajanna, considered close to Siddaramaiah, have openly expressed aspirations for the post of KPCC President.

Shivakumar’s remarks came amid chatter about a potential leadership change and an impending cabinet reshuffle in the state, following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi a day earlier as the Congress government in Karnataka approaches its halfway mark of its five-year term.

Shivakumar had earlier rejected speculation that he was stepping down as the Karnataka Congress president, asserting that he remains a “disciplined soldier” of the party. “I am not the one to blackmail the Congress. I have built this party and worked tirelessly day and night for it. I will continue to do so in the future. Our party will return to power (in Karnataka) in 2028,” he said at the time.