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Shivakumar said that such a merger would be welcomed by the Congress as it would simplify the political landscape into a direct contest against the BJP in Karnataka.
Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar (Left) and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar sparked a fresh political row by claiming that the Janata Dal (Secular) is on the verge of merging with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking at an event to induct former Chamarajpet JDS leader Govindaraj into the Congress party, Shivakumar suggested that the current political approach of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy indicates a future where the two opposition parties become a single entity. He noted that such a development would be welcomed by the Congress as it would simplify the political landscape into a direct contest against the BJP.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the lack of a clear arrangement between the JDS and BJP has led to widespread confusion among opposition candidates, many of whom are now looking towards the Congress for their political future. Shivakumar highlighted the surge in interest for Congress tickets, noting that 779 applications have already been distributed for the upcoming corporation elections across five newly proposed zones in Bengaluru. He criticised the JDS for lacking a distinct ideology and accused the leadership of treating the political organisation like private property rather than a public institution.
The remarks drew a sharp and stinging rebuttal from Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who took to social media to dismiss the merger talk and challenge Shivakumar’s administrative record. Kumaraswamy suggested that the Deputy Chief Minister should focus on governance rather than the internal affairs of other parties. He stated that while he has served as Chief Minister and Opposition Leader through the grace of the people, his experience does not include the “extortion, looting, and commission-seeking” that he associated with the Deputy Chief Minister’s political style.
The exchange grew more personal as Kumaraswamy accused Shivakumar of overstepping his official boundaries, specifically citing a recent meeting the Deputy Chief Minister held with police officials in Ballari.
Kumaraswamy argued that such meetings fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Home Minister or the Chief Minister, questioning whether the current Home Minister was being treated as a mere “rubber stamp.” He further alleged that Shivakumar is a specialist in “encroachment,” referring not only to land issues but also to the perceived hijacking of other ministers’ portfolios and constitutional protocols.
January 09, 2026, 11:57 IST
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