Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress strongman D.K. Shivakumar has made a stunning revelation that during the 2019 Congress–JD(S) coalition government crisis, he was offered a choice by the BJP — either to become the Deputy Chief Minister by switching sides, or face jail time. Shivakumar said he chose imprisonment over betrayal, reaffirming his lifelong loyalty to the Congress party.
Speaking at the launch of his biography “A Symbol of Loyalty,” written by director K.M. Raghu, held at the FKCCI auditorium in Bengaluru, the Congress’ key trouble-shooter and strategist recounted the behind-the-scenes political pressure he faced from Delhi at the peak of the 2019 political turmoil.
“I received a call from Delhi. They told me, ‘Either you become Deputy Chief Minister or go to jail — choose one.’ I told them I prefer jail over disloyalty. My loyalty to the party is my strength,” said Shivakumar to thunderous applause from the crowd.
He recalled how, when several Congress MLAs resigned to join the BJP, he had rushed from Kanakapura to convince and bring back a few of them to the party quarters. Amid that tense situation, he claimed to have been contacted through intermediaries, including a Delhi-based Income Tax auditor and a senior police officer, with an offer to join the BJP in exchange for power and protection.
Rejecting the offer, Shivakumar said, “I have stood with Congress from my youth. Late Rajiv Gandhi gave me my first assembly ticket. Many have supported my growth, and I will never abandon the party for power.”
The Deputy Chief Minister further remarked that politics is never static and hinted that he might continue in active politics for another eight years before giving way to younger leaders.
“I am 63 now. Politics cannot go on forever. About 500 new leaders will emerge in Bengaluru in the coming years, and they should be given opportunities,” he said.
Shivakumar also acknowledged that although he had long opposed the Deve Gowda family, he had cooperated with H.D. Kumaraswamy during the coalition government out of party loyalty and ideological commitment to secularism.
Reacting to controversies surrounding his earlier remarks on the RSS, he clarified that he never apologized to anyone but only expressed regret if his words hurt party workers.
During the event, Shivakumar also recited Sanskrit verses and announced that his next book titled “Neerina Mele Hejje” (Steps on Water) would be released on November 6 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
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