DK Shivakumar rules out any 'political turn,' says he and the CM will follow the party's direction
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), Jan 11: Seeking to downplay the power tussle within the Congress, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the people of the state have blessed the ruling party for five years and that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will continue functioning as per the directions of the high command.
With supporters hailing him as the 'next Chief Minister' on his arrival here, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, said he does not need anyone's support and will abide by what the party tells him.
"No one should worry; there is no need for any political turn. People have blessed us and given us an opportunity, and we will continue for five years. All the talks going on are without any value. The Chief Minister and I will continue functioning as per the directions of the party," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question.
Asked about workers or supporters demanding that he should be the next CM, Shivakumar said, "I don't want anyone to demand anything from me; I don't want anyone's support. I do not need any legislator's backing. This is between me and the Congress party. Whatever the Congress party says, I will function accordingly. I don't want workers or legislators to shout for me or stand in my support. I will do my duty."
"I believe in the saying: 'Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana'—make your efforts, and leave the results to God," he added
His comments came a day after his cabinet colleague K N Rajanna, who is close to Siddaramaiah, suggested that Shivakumar should aim to become Chief Minister by successfully leading the party in the next elections, rather than aspiring for the top post during the remaining two and a half years of the incumbent government.
Following Siddaramaiah’s recent dinner with select Dalit and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Cabinet colleagues, speculation about a possible change of leadership in Karnataka has created a buzz within the Congress. There are rumours of a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula being implemented after March.
After the Assembly election results in May 2023, there was intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s post. The Congress eventually convinced Shivakumar to take the role of Deputy Chief Minister. At the time, reports suggested that a compromise had been reached under a "rotational chief minister formula," which would make Shivakumar the Chief Minister after two and a half years. However, the party has not officially confirmed this arrangement.
Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, has been open about his ambition to become Chief Minister.
A meeting of Congress leaders, ministers, and lawmakers from SC/ST communities, scheduled for Wednesday evening under the leadership of Home Minister G Parameshwara and supported by K N Rajanna, was postponed following instructions from AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Sources indicate that the postponement came after Shivakumar, a strong contender for the CM post, met AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal in New Delhi on Monday night to discuss party developments.
A section within the Congress believes that the planned SC/ST convention and Parameshwara’s meeting could revive the demand for a Dalit or AHINDA (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) leader to become the next Chief Minister. This demand could complicate Shivakumar’s prospects if Siddaramaiah steps down after the state budget, as speculated.
Addressing criticism from the media and opposition leaders over his recent temple visits being labelled a "temple run," Shivakumar said, "I do puja every day. I believe in dharma. For my wellness and the wellness of the state, society, and the people who believe in me, I pray. It is each one's personal belief."
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Privilege action: Comedian Kamra points to Bal Thackeray's cartoon on Indira Gandhi
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Mumbai (PTI): Questioning the Maharashtra legislature's action against him, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has cited Bal Thackeray's cartoon criticising then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to argue that the late Shiv Sena founder never faced privilege proceedings.
Kamra has been served with a breach of privilege notice over his satirical song targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who claims to be carrying forward the political legacy of Bal Thackeray.
The comedian has shared on X a screenshot of his recent written deposition submitted to the legislature's privileges committee, in which he also included Bal Thackeray's cartoon, while responding to remarks by state minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik.
Reacting to the privilege proceedings, Sarnaik on Saturday told reporters that, "Kunal Kamra, whatever he says, a breach of privilege motion has been referred to a committee by members of the legislative assembly, and he is giving his statement through that committee."
"But if his business is to sing songs about Eknath Shinde in a different way, then he should also understand the aggressive approach of Shiv Sainiks, as seen in the past. He should understand how Shiv Sainiks work, and he can learn about it if he wants," the minister added.
Kamra reposted Sarnaik's video on X along with a portion of his written reply, defending political satire and questioning the use of legislative privilege against comedians.
"Over the last year, I have faced multiple proceedings for a joke that I made about a fight for the political legacy of one of India's most fiery and acclaimed political cartoonists, Balasaheb Thackeray," Kamra said in his deposition.
He noted that Bal Thackeray had mocked several figures of authority, including sitting prime ministers, without facing privilege action.
Referring to the cartoon targeting Indira Gandhi, Kamra argued that defending Bal Thackeray's political legacy should include protecting the freedom of cartoonists and satirists. He added that political satire formed the foundation of the ideology that Eknath Shinde claims to inherit.
Kamra further expressed hope that the proceedings would highlight "little-known provisions of the Constitution" relating to legislative privilege that could be used by elected leaders to curb citizens' freedoms.
"The fact that in a 21st-century democracy, elected representatives have the power to institute proceedings against citizens who say things they don't like, and the power to condemn them to imprisonment for such speech, is something that should concern every citizen," he said.
Earlier, Kamra had refused to tender an unconditional apology in the case, calling such a move "insincere" and warning it would set a "terrible precedent" for artistic freedom.
Privileges committee chairperson Prasad Lad has said the panel would decide the matter based on Kamra's response.
The comedian appeared before the panel following a complaint by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar, alleging that Kamra insulted Shinde in a stand-up act and his remarks amounted to a breach of privilege.
During a performance in Mumbai last year, Kamra had used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ to describe the upheaval in the Shiv Sena, then headed by Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in June 2022, leading to a split in the Shiv Sena and the collapse of the then Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
During a show at a hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kamra performed a parody song targeting Shinde. After he uploaded a recording online, Shiv Sena supporters led by Rahool Kanal vandalised the venue and the hotel housing it in March 2025.
An FIR had been registered against Kamra at Khar police station on a complaint by Shiv Sena legislator Murji Patel, accusing him of making defamatory remarks against the deputy chief minister.
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