Deputy CM Shivakumar: Party’s Power, Not Position, Is My Goal

Bengaluru, Nov 2025 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday asserted that holding the Chief Minister’s post or any other high office is not his priority. What matters most, he said, is working together with party members to bring the Congress back to power in the state.

“The Chief Minister’s post or any high office is not important. What truly matters is collaborating with everyone in the party and ensuring Congress returns to power in Karnataka,” Shivakumar stated.

He emphasised that decisions related to power-sharing within the party will be taken at the appropriate time and are confined to internal discussions. “Whatever discussions happen about leadership roles are within the four walls of the party,” he added.

Shivakumar reiterated his belief in collective leadership, stressing that Congress functions on party loyalty rather than personality cults. “I believe in collective leadership. There is no personality worship in Congress, only party worship,” he said.

He also took a dig at rival parties, noting that leaders from the BJP and JD(S) should refrain from commenting on Congress matters and focus on addressing their own issues. “There is only one faction – the Congress faction. The party has been built through collective leadership, and the opposition need not worry about me,” he added.

Shivakumar reaffirmed his commitment to the party, calling himself a “staunch Congressman” and highlighting the support he has received from Congress during challenging times.

He said he had discussed election strategies with senior party leader and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi to ensure Congress’ success in the 2028 and 2029 elections. “Satish Jarkiholi is a big asset to the party. Together, we will continue our work to strengthen the party,” Shivakumar said.

The Deputy Chief Minister credited the party’s recent victory to the collective efforts of its leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, and all Congress MLAs. “I alone did not work for this victory. It was under the leadership of our senior leaders and the joint efforts of all MLAs that the party came to power. Preserving this unity is crucial,” he said.

Responding to BJP leader R. Ashoka’s remark that Shivakumar is not a leader of the Vokkaligas, he clarified, “I have never claimed to be the leader of the Vokkaligas. I am a leader of the Congress Party. Yes, I was born a Vokkaliga, but even if we distance ourselves from caste and religion, they remain a part of our identity.”

Shivakumar’s statements underline his focus on collective leadership, internal unity, and long-term strategy for Congress’ resurgence in Karnataka, rather than personal political ambition.