The Vokkaliga heartland politics in Old Mysore region is likely to heat up with the elevation of D.K. Shivakumar, seen as a traditional foe of Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and in later years, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
The regional party, now in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), could come under pressure as Mr. Shivakumar is likely to make efforts to win over the landowning community, which is now seen siding with Mr. Gowda’s family.
In the last decade, the rivalry between the two families have intensified. The Bidadi township project, initiated by Mr. Kumaraswamy but being pushed by Mr. Shivakumar currently, is expected to turn into a flashpoint.
“We are expecting Mr. Shivakumar to be aggressive, but we have the capability to meet the challenge. The party in its initial years was challenged by (former Chief Minister) S.M. Krishna too. However, we have survived tough times and we will continue to do so,” a JD(S) source told The Hindu when asked if the party felt threatened. However, the source did not rule out the possibility of the Congress trying to woo the Vokkaliga electorate/leaders siding with the party.
The JD(S), which went into an alliance with the BJP in 2023 “to protect its flock” soon after the election rout, seems to be pinning hopes on the alliance being a strong hedge against Mr. Shivakumar-led Congress onslaught.
HDK more often in State?
Another source indicated that Mr. Kumaraswamy could be seen in the State more often in the coming months to protect the party interest, and also challenge the next Chief Minister. Already enough indications have been given about his return to State politics by the party leaders in public fora.
‘Jodetthu’ phase
Since the defeat of Mr. Gowda at the hands of the strongman from Kanakapura in Sathanur constituency in 1989, the relationship between the two families have remained frosty. In 2004, journalist -turned politician Tejwasini Gowda backed by Mr. Shivakumar defeated Mr. Gowda in the then Kanakapura Lok Sabha constituency. Only during the 14-month JD(S)-Congress coalition led by Mr. Kumaraswamy, the relationship saw a thaw when the two were called as the “Jodetthu” (pair of bullocks).
D.K. Shivakumar: A trusted troubleshooter's ascent to the top job in Karnataka
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar arrives at the joint session of Karnataka Assembly and Council, in Bengaluru on March 03, 2025.
KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar takes a 'holy dip' in Cauvery water during the inauguration of the 10 day 'padaytra' from Mekedatu to Bengaluru to demand the implemention of Mekedatu project, in Mekedatu on January 9, 2022.
D.K. Shivakumar seen with then Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna with the Kranthi Jyothi at a rally to mark the occasion of Quit India Movement in Bangalore on August 9, 2003.
Sathanur MLA D.K. Shivakumar, addressing the media, accussing Chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his family members and his father H. D. Deve Gowda of alleged involvement in illegal mining and bribery case, in Bengaluru on August 01, 2006.
Former Minister D.K. Shivakumar greeted by Governor, T. N. Chaturvedi after receiving a Master of Arts (MA) degree during the KSOU Convocation held in Mysore on January 08, 2007.
Mahila Congress members demanding D.K. Shivakumar (in the poster) to be made as Karnataka State President. Banners are also put all around the KPCCI office, in Bangalore on August 13, 2008.
Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa and KPCC working president D. K. Shivakumar, paying floral tributes in front of Vidhana Soudha to mark National Integration Day on the occasion of late Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary in Bangalore on November 19, 2009.
KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and former minister D.K. Shivakumar, during a protest rally in Bangalore on November 16, 2006.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Power D.K. Shivakumar, during the Janaashirvada Yatre at Kurudumale Ganapati temple at Mulubagilu in Kolar district in 2018.
D.K. Shivakumar as Congress MLA from Kanakapura consitituency and Minster for Energy in Karnataka.
Congress leader D K Shivakumar seeks blessings of party President Sonia Gandhi during a 'thanksgiving' rally in Mandya in 2013.
D.K. Shivakumar taken into custody while protesting in front of Bangalore Central College Campus Main Gate against BJP Government on February 5, 2009.
Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and his brother and MP Suresh Kumar leave Income Tax Office.
D K Shivakumar, with his family members, appears before the Income Tax Department for seventh time, in Bengaluru on November 06, 2017.
KPCC president D K Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh addressing Congress workers outside his residence, after the CBI raids, in Bengaluru on October 05, 2020.
D K Shivakumar at his Sadhashivanagar residence during the I-T Raid on August 02, 2017.
Energy minister D K Shivakumar offers Tulabhara seva at Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada district.
Karnataka Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and Congress leader D K Shivakumar, during the swearing in ceremony of JD(S) and Congress party coalition government in Karnataka in Bengaluru on May 23, 2018.
D K Shivakumar being detained during a protest against hike in fuel prices on June 11, 2021.
In a 2021 file photo, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar with party MLAs, MLCs, and supporters, arrive in Vidhana Soudha by bullock cart to protest against BJP government's failure to control the rise in prices of petrol and diesel.
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In recent times, the pendulum has been swinging both sides. If the Congress led by Mr. Shivakumar handed JD(S) its worst defeat in Old Mysore region, including a washout in its bastion at Mandya, in the 2023 Assembly elections, the JD(S) in alliance with the BJP trounced the Congress in key Vokkaliga constituencies, including Mandya, in the 2024 general elections.
In Bengaluru Rural, the JD(S) backed the BJP to trounce Mr. Shivakumar’s brother D.K. Suresh by a huge margin that jolted the brothers.
A political analyst said, “The biggest challenge before Mr. Shivakumar in the coming months is to break the clout and popular perception of Mr. Gowda and Mr. Kumaraswamy being the Vokkaliga leaders. His outreach to the community will be keenly watched and he has to position himself as a counter magnet in Vokkaliga politics for the Congress.”
With little less than a two-year term, his moves will be keenly watched to see whether he will emerge as a tall Vokkaliga leader, said the analyst.
Published - May 29, 2026 07:07 am IST