Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar delivered a striking political forecast Sunday, suggesting the state's opposition alliance is fracturing even as elections loom. Speaking at an event where former BJP legislator N.L. Narendra Babu rejoined Congress, Shivakumar claimed numerous BJP and JD(S) figures are now negotiating to cross over—and took sharp aim at the partnership between his rivals.

Key facts

  • CM Shivakumar claims multiple BJP and JD(S) leaders are preparing to join Congress
  • Predicted H.D. Kumaraswamy would sideline R. Ashok and B.Y. Vijayendra before elections
  • Noted only 3-4 of 13 BJP defectors from 2019's "Operation Kamala" remain active
  • Asserted Congress would accommodate defectors who share its ideology

Power shift within the alliance

Shivakumar didn’t hold back. He described Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy as waiting to "bring down" BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and Legislative Assembly Opposition Leader R. Ashok. "When elections near, Mr. Ashok and Mr. Vijayendra will have no power," he stated. "Someone else would land through a parachute."

The Chief Minister’s words carried the weight of observation—not just speculation. He framed Kumaraswamy’s frequent public statements as part of a larger strategy to consolidate influence, suggesting the JD(S) leader is poised to seize control from his BJP counterparts.

A welcoming Congress

Shivakumar’s tone shifted when discussing his own party’s stance. He portrayed Congress as a stable haven for disaffected politicians, contrasting it with the BJP where "one cannot survive." He revealed that district ministers and party leaders are already compiling lists of potential joiners.

"We will give space and accommodate those who believe in our ideology and party leaders. The younger generation should be given an opportunity."

His remarks came with a clear subtext: Congress is preparing for more high-profile defections, and they’re ready to welcome them.

Broader political jabs

Beyond the immediate defection drama, Shivakumar took broader swings. He challenged Kumaraswamy to create 50,000 jobs in Karnataka—offering state land in Mandya or elsewhere—instead of making political threats. He also criticized Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya’s opposition to a tunnel project over Lalbagh rock formations, noting Surya "had not seen the rock even once."

In a surprising transatlantic comparison, Shivakumar even suggested U.S. President Donald Trump copied Congress’s guarantee schemes, referencing Trump’s recent '$5,000 Trump Dividend' proposal. Whether serious or sardonic, the comment underscored his confidence in Congress’s policy influence.

The political landscape in Karnataka appears to be shifting—and according to the Chief Minister, not in the opposition’s favor.