While the stage is being set in the Congress for the elevation of D.K. Shivakumar as Chief Minister, the BJP is preparing to face the new dispensation with an aggressive approach.
As Mr. Shivakumar is known for his no-holds-barred approach, the BJP has decided to counter him, as they put it, “in his own style.” Already, informal discussions and exchange of ideas have been held among BJP leaders ever since it became clear that Siddaramaiah agreed to relinquish the Chief Minister’s post.
Ahead of polls
According to sources in the BJP, the timing also demands it. “Only two years are left for the Assembly elections. This is a crucial phase where the Opposition has to take the government head on,” observed a BJP leader.
He pointed out that there is a marked difference in the functioning style of Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar. “The former is a socialist veteran leader who was known for political craftiness and ideological orientation. We had to counter him in a sensitive manner. However, Mr. Shivakumar is a different personality who is known for taking things head on. We need to match his aggression to counter him,” said the leader.
For a start, the BJP leaders are planning to build campaigns around various issues involving Mr. Shivakumar including what they call “irregularities” in garbage tender in Bengauru.
Heartburn
The BJP is waiting to cash in on the heartburn and disappointment among those who fail to make it to the ministry now. “Though the power transfer process is appearing to be a smooth affair as of now, there are indications of several tricky issues coming up in the future as Mr. Shivakumar cannot afford to ignore the pet schemes or political constituency of his predecessor. Such issues are bound to snowball into conflict situations due to emerging of alternative power centres if Mr. Siddaramaiah stays back in State politics,” observed another leader.
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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Already BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who recently held meetings with the State unit, has given a rough road map to the leaders on the campaigns to be taken up. He had asked the leaders to pull their socks up while observing that they were not aggressive enough in projecting themselves as an effective political alternative by taking the Congress government head-on on various issues.
A series of orientation sessions and organisational study camps have been held for them recently with an eye on the 2028 Assembly elections. The change in leadership in the Congress is set to impact the functioning style of the Opposition party too.
Published - May 29, 2026 09:54 pm IST