'DK Shivakumar Might Be Congress's Eknath Shinde': Karnataka BJP's R Ashoka Says Leadership Change Inevitable

Karnataka BJP leader R Ashoka speculates that Deputy CM DK Shivakumar may orchestrate a Congress split, drawing parallels to Maharashtra's Eknath Shinde even as Shivakumar denies allegations.

File Photo of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar

Source : PTI

The Karnataka BJP has stirred political speculation by drawing parallels between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, suggesting that the Congress strongman could orchestrate a split within his party.  

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, while speaking on Thursday, remarked, "There are many in Congress who could be like Eknath Shinde, DK Shivakumar might be one of them", India Today reported. His comments come amid heightened speculation over Shivakumar’s proximity to the BJP, following his attendance at the Mahashivratri event hosted by the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present.  

The Karnataka BJP leadership has latched onto this, alleging growing infighting within the ruling Congress. Ashoka hinted at an impending leadership change in the Congress-led state government, suggesting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah could soon make way for Shivakumar. He went a step further, claiming that the transition was inevitable and had even “fixed the auspicious time” for it—16 November this year, as per India Today's report.  

State BJP president BY Vijayendra also weighed in, saying, "I’ve been saying that the infighting has increased in Congress. Everyone is targeting DK Shivakumar now."  

Ashoka was more direct in his prediction, stating that Karnataka could soon witness a political upheaval akin to Maharashtra, where Eknath Shinde broke away from the Shiv Sena. He claimed that Shivakumar might align with the BJP to bring down the Congress government. "But it is an internal matter of the Congress, and it is up to them whether they want to take disciplinary action against Shivakumar for going to Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Kumbh and participating in Shivratri celebrations, where he was in the same frame as Union Minister Amit Shah," Ashoka added, as quoted by the report.  

DK Shivakumar Dismisses Speculation Of Leaving Congress As 'BJP Propaganda'

Shivakumar, however, has strongly refuted any speculation about a defection. On Wednesday, he dismissed the claims as “BJP propaganda,” asserting, "I am a born Congressman and committed to leading the party to victory in the 2028 assembly elections."  

Addressing the controversy surrounding his visit to the Isha Foundation event, Shivakumar stated, "I went there for the Shivratri festival. It is about my belief. I will not respond to social media posts. Let thousands of people oppose me. It is my faith." According to news agency IANS, he reiterated that neither the BJP nor the Congress should comment on his personal beliefs, saying, "There is no need for the media to talk about me. This is about personal belief."  

Defending his previous statement that he was born a Hindu and would die a Hindu, Shivakumar questioned, "Why should I convert to another religion? I respect all religions and believe in humanity. Can one choose their religion at birth by submitting an application?" He cited Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s decision to embrace Buddhism, calling it a personal choice, and urged that personal matters should not be politicised.  

He further criticised the BJP for allegedly attempting to communalise religious matters, stating, "What is the connection between politics and the Maha Kumbh Mela? Does water have a caste? Attending such events is not a communal issue. The Ganga and Cauvery rivers are sacred to us. Religion has given them that sanctity, but beyond that, there is no political angle."