DK Shivakumar hints at stepping down from post of Karnataka Congress President, says, ‘I do not want to…’

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has hinted that he will resign from his post as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, saying “others should also be given a chance”.

Addressing a party function on the occasion of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary on Wednesday, Shivakumar said he did not want to remain the KPCC president forever. He added that he wanted to leave his post when he became Deputy CM in 2023, but continued his duty on the instructions of the high command.

In his first statement after his visit to Delhi, he said, “I do not want to remain in the post of KPCC Chairman forever. I took office as the KPCC Chairman in 2020. I have already completed five years and five months. When the Congress came to power with a majority in the 2023 assembly elections, I became the Deputy Prime Minister. I was ready to leave the post of KPCC Chairman then, but I continued my duty on the instructions of high command leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun. Kharge will be six years next March 2026. Others too.” should be given a chance.”

However, Shivakumar clarified that he will continue to be part of the party leadership in Karnataka even after leaving the KPCC chairmanship.

“It does not matter whether I am here or not. Even if I leave office, I will continue to work at the forefront of the leadership and the party. It does not matter where I am and what I have become. The work done during my tenure will be permanent. I have started 100 new party buildings. I have set a precedent as the party president. I will continue to work as long as the Gandhi family and the AICC chief want me to,” he said.

Interestingly, Shivakumar had dismissed speculations that he would leave office on November 16.
He had earlier said: “I have worked every day to build the party and will continue to do so. My mental, physical and political health is good. I have to ensure that the foundation stone is laid for 100 Congress party offices in Karnataka. I will meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. I have written the book on Gandhi Bharat and need to fix the date of its publication. We should celebrate the foundation day of the Congress. Who will do it all? Do I have to do this? Why should I resign as KPCC President? There is no need for this.”

(This story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)