Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar addresses a press conference in Bengaluru on December 15, 2022. Photo Credit: Murali Kumar
After four days of hectic talks in the national capital, the eight-time MLA and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK ShivakumarReluctantly accepted the post of Deputy Chief Minister at the behest of former AICC President Sonia Gandhi. He will also continue as the President of KPCC till 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Mr. Shivakumar – who celebrated his 62nd birthday Ra birthday On Monday — led the party from the front in Karnataka He assumed office in July 2020 and is seen as a key figure in resounding victory of the party With 135 seats. Aided by a team of election experts, he launched a sustained campaign against the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP’s “40% government”, highlighting five pre-poll guarantees of the Congress.
It is believed that the Vokkaliga community, to which Mr. Shivakumar belongs, rallied around him, resulting in the poor performance of the JD(S) in the old Mysuru region as well as the election of a bulk of MLAs from the community. ,
image of a ‘rock’
Mr. Shivakumar is often referred to in sections of the media as “Kanakapura Bande” (the rock of Kanakapura) for his unflinching, never-give-up attitude and central investigative agencies such as the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate. Back in 2019 after getting bail And walked out after spending 50 days at Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Mr Shivakumar was brought in a procession in an open car from the airport in an attempt to prevent his arrest as a “disgrace” to the Vokkaliga community.
Members of the Vokkaliga community, in the presence of Sri Somesvaranatha Swamiji of Sri Adichunchanagiri Shaka Mutt, demanding the post of Chief Minister to KPCC President DK Shivakumar, in Mysuru on May 15, 2023. Photo Credit: MA Sriram
As KPCC president, he demonstrated his organizational skills by mobilizing huge crowds on Independence Day during the Independence March, Bharat Jodo Yatra, Mekedatu’s Padayatra and party rallies across Karnataka. He won by the largest margin of votes (More than one lakh votes) in the Kanakapura Assembly Constituency located on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
One of Karnataka’s richest politicians, in his election affidavit in 2023, he declared assets worth over ₹1,350 crore, even as he faces multiple charges for his alleged money laundering, income tax evasion and disproportionate assets cases. agencies are under investigation. Hailing from a humble background, Mr. Shivakumar built a vast business empire ranging from educational institutions to real estate.
His rise and dominance in Karnataka politics is the result of hard work, diligent management at the grassroots level and financial clout.
party troubleshooter
Known as the troubleshooter of the Congress in Karnataka, Mr. Shivakumar has been instrumental in the party’s victory in all regions. He was instrumental in keeping the party’s flock together after the 2018 assembly elections, which resulted in the Congress being able to forge a post-poll alliance with the JD(S). It had denied the BJP, the single largest party with 104 seats, a chance to form the government. The Congress linked his subsequent arrest to the episode, terming it “vengeance” politics.
KPCC president DK Shivakumar at the Congress Prajadhawani yatre in Mangaluru on January 22, 2023. | Photo Credit: MANJUNATH HS
Mr. Shivakumar’s first foray into electoral politics was during the 1985 assembly election against former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, a formidable leader of the undivided Janata Party in the erstwhile Sathanur constituency. Although Mr. Shivakumar lost that battle, he entered the assembly in the 1989 election as a Congress candidate, winning from the same constituency. He became the prison minister in 1991-92 in the S Bangarappa cabinet at the age of 30. He has not lost a single election since 1989.
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Mr. Shivakumar rose to political prominence in the SM Krishna-led Congress government (1999–2004) by holding the Urban Development and Cooperation portfolio. Many political experts see this as a period of tremendous growth in his fortunes, both in politics and business.
In the simultaneous elections to Parliament and the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 2004, Mr. Shivakumar fought hard for the victory of TV journalist and Congress candidate Tejaswini Gowda (now BJP MLC), who was contesting against Deve Gowda in the Kanakapura parliamentary constituency. While the Congress lost the assembly elections, Mr. Shivakumar managed to win the seat. In the Dharam Singh-led Congress-JD(S) government (2004-05), Deve Gowda is known to have “settled scores” by keeping Krishna-Shivakumar out of power.
When the Congress returned to power in 2013, Mr. Shivakumar was inducted into the cabinet by Mr. Siddaramaiah, albeit after a while because of his “tainted image”. In 2014, the BJP won the general elections but Mr Shivakumar ensured the victory of his brother DK Suresh. Now, Mr. Suresh is the lone Congress Lok Sabha member from Karnataka.
proximity to central leaders
His proximity to the Congress central leadership and ability to political micro-manage have made him the go-to man for difficult situations and emergencies, such as ensuring the safety of Gujarat MLAs and Ahmed Patel’s victory at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru in 2017 Is. In the Rajya Sabha elections. The resort where he was staying was raided by IT officials. In June 2002, Mr. Shivakumar did a similar act when the then Maharashtra Congress Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh faced a no-confidence motion.
In a one-sided game with Mr. Siddaramaiah on the post of Chief Minister, Mr. Shivakumar settled for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. It remains to be seen how the two leaders deliver the administration to the people of Karnataka in the days to come.