As Congress prepares a new government in Karnataka, DK Shivakumar credits years of dedication and party trust for his elevation while cabinet talks continue in Delhi.
Photo: IANS
On the eve of taking charge as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar on Tuesday described his elevation as a moment earned through years of dedication and perseverance, saying the opportunity to lead the state may have arrived late, but was never out of reach.
His remarks come as the Congress prepares for a leadership transition in Karnataka after three years of the Siddaramaiah government, bringing to a close months of speculation over whether Shivakumar would eventually move from the post of Deputy Chief Minister to the state’s top political office.
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Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Shivakumar said his journey was shaped by hard work rather than personal ambition and credited the Congress organisation for his rise.
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“It was not a dream. It was a dedication. Dedication with hard work. So it was a tough, troubling time. Though it has been delayed, it was not denied. I feel there’s no Shivakumar here. It is a Congress worker who stood on this democratic set-up with the history of the Congress party,” he said.
The Congress leader is scheduled to take the oath as Chief Minister on Wednesday. His elevation follows the resignation of Siddaramaiah last week. Shivakumar was subsequently elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party, formally clearing the path for the transition.
Questions over Karnataka’s leadership arrangement had persisted for months, particularly after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year tenure. Political circles repeatedly speculated about a possible change in leadership and Shivakumar’s eventual elevation.
The transition is now entering its final phase, with the party leadership working out the composition of the new government.
During the interview, Shivakumar also spoke about his long association with the Congress leadership and his loyalty to the Gandhi family, saying the party had repeatedly trusted him with responsibilities.
“I named my theatre on the death day of Indira Gandhi. That is the commitment I had with the Gandhi family, and they believed in me, and they gave me various opportunities. So it was my bond duty to be very loyal to the family of Rajiv Gandhi until now,” he said.
Referring to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar said both had made personal sacrifices despite having opportunities to occupy the country’s highest political office.
“Sonia Gandhi sacrificed; she could have become the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi could have become the Prime Minister, but they did not. Ultimately, they fought. Rahul Gandhi ji walked on the streets of this country. So it is my duty to do my job with trust,” he added.
#WATCH | Delhi: Karnataka CM-designate DK Shivakumar says, “The faith and the confidence the people of this country have shown me, I am very much obliged, and I have to do a lot of hard work and deliver. I know roads will not be so easy. It will be difficult times, but still I… pic.twitter.com/VUBJTcNgR4
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2026
Even as preparations continue for the swearing-in ceremony, the Congress leadership is engaged in final discussions on the composition of the new Karnataka cabinet.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday held a meeting in Delhi with Chief Minister-designate Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah. The meeting reviewed the shape of the new Karnataka cabinet and discussed the party’s choices for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
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