D.K. Shivakumar Hints at Becoming Karnataka Chief Minister as Old Mysore Region Prepares to Vote

D.K. Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has suggested that he may become the Chief Minister as the Vokkaliga-dominant Old Mysore region prepares to vote in the upcoming elections. Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, claimed the Chief Minister's post in 2023 after the party won a majority of 135 seats. However, Siddaramaiah was elected as the Chief Minister, and there are speculations of a leadership change during the Assembly term.

While campaigning for his brother D.K. Suresh in the Harohalli constituency of Bengaluru Rural, Shivakumar told the voters that their hopes of him becoming the Chief Minister "won't be disappointed". He also attacked the JD(S) leaders, Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy, for "abandoning" Ramanagara district and fielding a family member on a BJP ticket, in an attempt to attract JD(S) workers to the Congress party.

Shivakumar mocked JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda's public crying at an election rally in Hassan, calling it "insincere tears". He asserted that it was the Congress party that made Deve Gowda the Prime Minister when his party had barely 16 seats in the Lok Sabha. Shivakumar claimed that the Congress party, not Deve Gowda's native Hassan, made him the Chief Minister. He said the JD(S) supremo has nothing to speak about his party's contribution to Karnataka and that the Congress will win the seats where JD(S) is contesting.

The president of Tamil Nadu's VCK party, Tholappiyan Thirumavalavan, MP, called on Shivakumar and extended his party's unconditional support to the Congress and its candidates. Shivakumar claimed that the Supreme Court ensured justice for Karnataka by agreeing to release drought relief funds, and accused the BJP of deceiving the people and increasing prices of essential commodities. He said the Congress government's guarantees have put Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 in the pockets of each family every month, while the BJP and Modi regime have been "exploiting the people".

Why this matters: The upcoming elections in the Old Mysore region of Karnataka are vital for D.K. Shivakumar's ambitions to become the Chief Minister. The region, dominated by the Vokkaliga community, is a key battleground that could determine the balance of power in the state.

As the campaign intensifies, Shivakumar has been making strong statements against his political rivals, particularly targeting the JD(S) leaders. He has accused them of deserting their constituents and aligning with the BJP. Shivakumar is also highlighting the Congress party's contributions to the state and its leaders, while criticizing the BJP's policies. With just two days left before the Old Mysore region goes to the polls, Shivakumar's hints at becoming the Chief Minister have added an extra layer of intrigue to the high-stakes electoral battle

Key Takeaways

• DK Shivakumar hints at becoming Karnataka CM if Congress wins majority.
• Shivakumar attacks JD(S) leaders Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy for "abandoning" Ramanagara.
• Shivakumar claims Congress made Deve Gowda PM and CM, not his native Hassan.
• VCK party extends unconditional support to Congress and its candidates.
• Old Mysore region, dominated by Vokkaligas, is a key battleground for Shivakumar's CM ambitions.