From Prayers To Power: DK Shivakumar’s Long Wait For Karnataka CM Post Finally Ends | Siddaramaiah

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:02]They say what's meant for you comes only when the time is right.

[00:00:07]And for DK Shiva Kumar, that moment has finally arrived.

[00:00:13]For years, whenever he was asked about his chances of becoming Karnataka's chief minister. There was one line he almost always repeated.

[00:00:23]Efforts may fail, but prayers never do.

[00:00:26]It was more than just a political line.

[00:00:29]For Shivakumar, it became a strategy for survival and perhaps a road map to power.

[00:00:38]No major Congress leader in Karnataka has blended politics and spirituality quite like DKs. From high-profile temple visits to public displays of faith and spiritual outrage, Shiva Kumar carefully cultivated the image of a man waiting for destiny to deliver its verdict.

[00:01:02]But while the prayers were visible, the politics was equally relentless behind the scenes. Over the past few years, Shivakumar quietly transformed himself into the Congress party's organizational pillar in Karnataka.

[00:01:18]But the biggest test came after the Congress returned to power in 2023.

[00:01:26]Sidra Maya was once again coronated and Sidraaya believed his mass appeal, a Hindu support base and backing among MLAs would shield him from any leadership challenge.

[00:01:43]For him, the mandate was personal as much as political. But Shiva Kumar's camp consistently maintained that a rotational chief minister arrangement had been informally worked out after the election victory.

[00:01:59]Sidra Maya however repeatedly denied accepting any such deal and insisted he will complete full 5-year term.

[00:02:11]Is Mr. Sidaraya going to complete his full 5-year term or are you going to sometime later this year give up chief ministership and maybe DK Shivkumar takes over. That is the buzz.

[00:02:25]>> I already made it very clear that I am going to complete five years term.

[00:02:33]I will be the chief minister for 5 years.

[00:02:37]As the rivalry simmerred beneath the surface, Congress found itself managing two competing power centers in Karnataka. While Siddharaya focused on governance and legislative strength inside the state, Shivakumar steadily strengthened his political equations in Delhi. Repeated statements from leaders from both camps slowly turned Karnataka into the Congress High Command's biggest internal balancing act.

[00:03:08]The fear in Delhi was clear. Allowing the uncertaintity to drag on could damage governance, deepen factionalism and eventually hurt the Congress nationally. And this is where Shivakumar's political calibration stood out.

[00:03:23]Unlike many Siddraaya loyalists who openly mocked the rotational CM theory, Shivkumar rarely escalated the confrontation publicly. He carefully projected himself as a disciplined Congress loyalist, repeatedly insisting that the party's decision would always be final.

[00:03:43]That public restraint became politically significant because behind the scenes Shivakumar maintained constant communication with Malikar Jan, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra quietly reminding the leadership of both his sacrifices for the party and the commitment made in 2023.

[00:04:06]At the same time, his supporters ensured the leadership change conversation never truly disappeared from Karnataka politics.

[00:04:14]The pressure was kept alive even when Shivakumar himself avoided direct confrontation.

[00:04:21]That dual strategy now appears to have worked in his favor.

[00:04:27]During marathon meetings in Delhi this week, Siddhraaya and Shiva Kumar separately met the Congress top brass as the leadership explored a possible transition formula. The Congress's priority appeared straightforward, prevent Karnataka from slipping into another Rajasthan style faction war and by finally nudging Siddharaya towards the exit path, the high command seems to have concluded that Shivakumar's organizational utility vocal cast significance. Political patience and years of loyalty outweighed the risks attached to a leadership change.

[00:05:04]For DK Shiva Kumar, this is not merely about becoming chief minister. It is the culmination of a decadesl long political climb marked by setbacks, ambition, loyalty, prayer and persistence.

[00:05:21]But the real challenge may begin only after the oath taking ceremony.

[00:05:28]with Sag Raj, Nagarjundo Kanat and Mossmi Singh. Bureau report India today.