DK Shivakumar on Wednesday hinted that his six-year tenure as Karnataka Congress president may be nearing its end. He told party workers that while others should get a chance, he will remain in the organisation’s core and frontline leadership.
File image: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar speaks to the media in Bengaluru. (ANI Video Grab)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday signalled that his term as the state Congress president may be nearing its end, even as he assured party workers that he is not walking away from the organisation.
Speaking at an event marking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Shivakumar told party cadres that he intends to build the organisation further, regardless of his position.
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He said, “Whether I’m around or not is immaterial. But I want to set up 100 party offices during my tenure.”
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Responding to concerns raised by local Congress workers about uncertainty over his tenure, the KPCC chief underlined that the role cannot stay with one person indefinitely.
“I cannot hold the post permanently. It has already been 5.5 years, and in March, it will be six years,” he said, noting that the organisation needs to make space for other leaders.
He added, “Others should be given an opportunity. But I will be in the leadership. Don’t worry, I will be at the frontline.”
Shivakumar was appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president in May 2020. He said he had offered to resign from the post when he became deputy chief minister in May 2023, but was asked to continue by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking to party workers earlier in the programme, he urged them to continue working optimistically.
“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.”
His remarks come amid persistent speculation about an internal power-sharing formula between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, with the government set to complete the mid-point of its five-year term this month. Several Congress leaders have also begun discussing changes to the KPCC leadership.
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal had earlier said Shivakumar would remain KPCC chief until after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Since then, leaders such as Satish Jarkiholi and K.N. Rajanna, considered close to Siddaramaiah, have shown interest in the role.
Later, speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said he was not avoiding responsibility but attempting to set a healthy precedent.
“No one can be permanent here. One should leave a mark during their tenure. I will work as party president until I’m told to continue. I’m trying to set an example of how a president should work and maintain discipline.”
He emphasised, “I’m not someone who runs away. I will work as long as the Gandhi family and the Congress president want me.”
As he spoke, a section of supporters gathered outside the venue shouted slogans calling him the “next CM”.
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