DK Shivakumar Downplays Leadership Speculation, Says He Remains a Party Worker

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : Amid ongoing speculation over leadership issues within the Karnataka Congress, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D. K. Shivakumar on Tuesday firmly reiterated that he values his identity as a party worker above any official position, seeking to put an end to rumours of internal discord.

Addressing a press conference at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, Shivakumar said that being a Congress worker was the only permanent role he aspired to hold. “I love being a party worker more than holding any position in the party. That is the only permanent position for me. I have been a party worker since 1980, and I will continue to remain one in the future as well,” he said.

When asked whether he would be content continuing as Deputy Chief Minister for a full five-year term, Shivakumar responded by once again emphasising his commitment to the party rather than to posts. “I will remain a party worker. That is the only permanent position for me,” he reiterated, making it clear that titles and designations were secondary to his loyalty to the organisation.

Shivakumar also dismissed speculation about meetings with the party’s central leadership during his Delhi visit. He said he had no plans to meet national leaders as most senior leaders were not in the capital. “I am not meeting anyone on this trip because I don’t think anyone is here. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is in Bengaluru, and Rahul Gandhi arrived only yesterday. I do not want to trouble him,” he said.

Responding to questions about reports of breakfast meetings with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar declined to share details of their discussions but stressed unity within the party and government. “I cannot reveal what was discussed. We are all united and will continue to work together. We brought this government to power together,” he said.

He credited the Congress’ electoral success in Karnataka to the collective efforts of party workers across the state. “Every party worker has put in hard work and sweat. I am grateful to the people of Karnataka for giving us a massive mandate. Whatever we promised, we have delivered, and we will continue to deliver,” Shivakumar asserted.

He further underlined that the party’s central leadership had given the state unit a free hand to govern. “It is not just Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah. All our legislators and candidates made sacrifices to bring this government to power,” he said.

Dismissing talk of a leadership tussle, Shivakumar blamed the media for fuelling speculation. “Only the media is indulging in such speculation. There is no confusion within the party or the government regarding leadership or any change of Chief Minister,” he said.

He added that meetings between leaders were routine and part of daily political life. “Breakfast meetings are normal. We meet the Chief Minister, media persons, industrialists, bureaucrats and common people regularly. Sharing and caring are part of life,” Shivakumar concluded.

Team Maverick.