After MP fiasco, Congress acts fast in Karnataka; names DK Shivakumar as new state chief

BENGALURU: After several weeks of indecision, the AICC on Wednesday named senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar as president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The quick decision, after weeks of inaction on the Karnataka front, followed dramatic turn of events in Madhya Pradesh which saw the exit of Jyotiraditya Schindia, an aspirant for Madhya Pradesh Congress chief's post.

The AICC has attempted to balance all factions in Karnataka by naming three working presidents, as insisted by former chief minister Siddaramaiah. They belong to Lingayat, ST, and Minority communities. They are Eshwar Khandre, Satish Jharkiholi and Salim Ahmed, respectively.

The Congress high command has also rebuffed attempts to have the posts of Congress Legislature Party leader and the Opposition leader in the Assembly posts to be split. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah will continue to hold both.


DK Shivakumar belongs to Vokkaliga community, the second largest community in Karnataka. The way the party has made appointments goes to show it has attempted to woo all major communities.

Incumbent president Dinesh Gundu Rao had announced his resignation following Congress did poorly in the December 5 bypolls to 15 Assembly seats in Karnataka, winning just two seats.