{"id":27410,"date":"2026-01-12T12:40:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T12:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/stabbed-from-front-and-back-shivakumar-gets-candid-as-karnataka-leadership-tussle-intensifies-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T12:40:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T12:40:44","slug":"stabbed-from-front-and-back-shivakumar-gets-candid-as-karnataka-leadership-tussle-intensifies-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/stabbed-from-front-and-back-shivakumar-gets-candid-as-karnataka-leadership-tussle-intensifies-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Stabbed From Front and Back\u2019: Shivakumar Gets Candid As Karnataka Leadership Tussle Intensifies | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9825671\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-3759419209\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-3759419209\">January 12, 2026, 17:12 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9825671\" class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766 asubttl-schema\">Shivakumar&#8217;s remarks appeared to be a direct volley at his detractors within the Congress-led government and his rivals in the JD(S) amid the ongoing leadership tussle.<\/h2>\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" title=\"font\" class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 artsharwrp\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.whatsapp.com\/send?text=%E2%80%98Stabbed%20From%20Front%20and%20Back%E2%80%99%3A%20Shivakumar%20Gets%20Candid%20As%20Karnataka%20Leadership%20Tussle%20Intensifies - %0D%0Ahttps:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/stabbed-from-front-and-back-shivakumar-gets-candid-as-karnataka-leadership-tussle-intensifies-ws-kl-9825671.html%3Futm_source%3Dwhatsapp%26utm_medium%3Dsocial_share%26utm_campaign%3Dnw18english%0D%0A %0D%0A Get the latest news anytime, anywhere. Install News18 app for free! %0D%0Ahttps:\/\/onelink.to\/website-share-eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 sclrnd wapp social_share\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 notifycnt social_share\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/new_share_icon.svg\" alt=\"new share icon\" title=\"new share icon\" width=\"8\" height=\"9\" class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 social_share\"\/><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/new_whatsapp_icon.svg\" alt=\"new whatsapp icon\" title=\"new whatsapp icon\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" class=\"jsx-ea217851d88955e2 social_share\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766\">\n<figure class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar\" title=\"Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">In a startlingly candid address that has sent ripples through Karnataka\u2019s political corridors, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar revealed the depth of the internal warfare he faces, claiming he is being \u201cstabbed from both the front and the back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">Speaking at a Vokkaliga community entrepreneurs event on Sunday, the veteran leader\u2019s remarks appeared to be a direct volley at his detractors within the Congress-led government and his rivals in the JD(S), marking a sharp escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the state\u2019s ongoing leadership transition debate.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">The \u201cstabbing&#8221; metaphor served as a raw centrepiece to a speech that balanced vulnerability with a firm assertion of power. Shivakumar lamented that the most painful strikes were not coming from distant enemies, but from \u201chis own people&#8221; and those he once sincerely supported.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">He specifically revisited the fractured relationship with former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, categorically rejecting accusations of backstabbing during their previous coalition. \u201cMy conscience knows how honest I was when Kumaraswamy was the CM,&#8221; Shivakumar declared, adding that he no longer requires \u201ccertificates&#8221; of loyalty from those who have turned against him.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\"><strong>\u2018Have Full Confidence In My Party\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">However, the Karnataka deputy CM also expressed full confidence that Congress will take care of his political future. \u201cIn this temple of the world, everyone gets at least one opportunity. Perform your duty with self-confidence. Do not think of yourself as grass or manure,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">Underscoring the struggles he endured during his political career, Shivakumar said, \u201cI come from a very ordinary family. My father was not a big politician or a Chief Minister; he was only a taluk board member. My grandfather was the same. From there, through struggle, politics, fights, and hardships, I am sitting here today. I have self-confidence in my party that it will take care of my future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">This defiant stance comes at a precarious moment for the Karnataka Congress, as the party hit the midpoint of its term and speculation regarding a \u201cpower-sharing&#8221; agreement between Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaches a fever pitch. By framing himself as a leader who has \u201ctaken many blows&#8221; to reach his current position, Shivakumar signaled to the party high command that his patience is tied to his immense personal sacrifice.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">He also reminded his audience that he did not inherit his status from a political dynasty, but carved it out like a \u201crock&#8221; a name he embraced to describe a resilience built on surviving both legal battles and internal sabotage.\u00a0Beyond the immediate political friction, the Deputy Chief Minister warned the next generation of Vokkaliga entrepreneurs to learn from his scars, advising them that \u201cno one can be trusted&#8221; in environments where blood and money circulate.<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">Even as he described being \u201cchewed up&#8221; by critics on Instagram and television, Shivakumar maintained that he remains unfazed by the digital onslaught. His closing remarks had a lot of strategic signalling, while expressing absolute faith that the Congress party will \u201ctake a decision&#8221; on his future, he left no doubt that he views himself as a leader who has paid his dues in full and expects the party to honour that debt.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>January 12, 2026, 17:12 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/\">politics<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> \u2018Stabbed From Front and Back\u2019: Shivakumar Gets Candid As Karnataka Leadership Tussle Intensifies<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-ee90caf6118df965 jsx-2470146766 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/stabbed-from-front-and-back-shivakumar-gets-candid-as-karnataka-leadership-tussle-intensifies-ws-kl-9825671.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 17:12 IST Shivakumar&#8217;s remarks appeared to be a direct volley at his detractors within the Congress-led government and his rivals in the JD(S) amid the ongoing leadership tussle. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar In a startlingly candid address that has sent ripples through Karnataka\u2019s political corridors, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27410\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}