DK Shivakumar’s ascension to the role of upcoming Chief Minister of Karnataka marks the culmination of a long and often contentious rivalry with Siddaramaiah. Their political battles date back to 2016 when the then-Congress president Sonia Gandhi informally approached Shivakumar about becoming the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). At that time, Shivakumar indicated he would accept the position after a family trip to the United States.

However, upon his return, political dynamics had shifted. Siddaramaiah had allegedly amassed support within the Congress party against Shivakumar’s advancement. The Congress high command sought opinions from 16 cabinet ministers; aside from Roshan Baig, none expressed support for Shivakumar. Consequently, G Parameshwara remained as KPCC president.

Reflecting on the incident later, Shivakumar described the situation by saying he was playing chess while Siddaramaiah was playing football, highlighting the strategic manoeuvres that thwarted his rise at the time. Although he acknowledged that his chances of becoming Chief Minister in 2018 were slim, he believed that an opportunity would emerge again.

Early Political Landscape

The rivalry’s roots extend deeper. When Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister in 2013, he hesitated to include Shivakumar in his cabinet due to ongoing allegations of illegal mining and land dealings against Shivakumar. Aiming to maintain a transparent government, Siddaramaiah resisted Shivakumar’s integration into the administration.

Despite these challenges, Shivakumar successfully lobbied for a cabinet position, which he secured in January 2014 after sustained efforts directed at the Congress high command. The following years saw various organisational changes within the Congress party, particularly after the 2018 Assembly elections, when Dinesh Gundu Rao became KPCC president while Parameshwara took on the role of Deputy Chief Minister.

However, the Congress faced numerous setbacks in subsequent elections. In the 2019 general elections, the party secured only one Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka—Bengaluru Rural, represented by Shivakumar’s brother, DK Suresh. Following disappointing outcomes in the December 2019 Assembly bypolls, Gundu Rao resigned, claiming moral responsibility for the defeats.

Shivakumar’s Resilience and Rebuilding Efforts

In a significant twist, Shivakumar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case and imprisoned in Tihar Jail, Delhi. During this period, Sonia Gandhi’s visit to him on October 23, 2019, signalled her support, which reportedly had lasting implications for his political capital within the party.

Shivakumar was released on bail shortly thereafter, emerging from the controversy with renewed strength and support among party members. He officially took over the position of Karnataka Congress president on July 2, 2020, beginning a systematic effort to rejuvenate the party’s organisational structure.

Over the past three years, Shivakumar focused on enhancing grassroots networks and revitalising the party’s overall machinery across the state. His commitment to rebuilding the organisation led to the Congress party regaining power in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections with a decisive majority.

Under Shivakumar’s leadership, the Congress not only secured a significant electoral victory but also performed well in subsequent bypolls, solidifying his standing as one of the preeminent figures in Karnataka Congress. His journey from being sidelined in 2016 to preparing to lead the state exemplifies tenacity and strategic foresight within the realm of regional politics.

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