From Crisis Manager to Karnataka CM: Rasheed Kidwai decodes the rise of DK Shivakumar

Marya Shakil speaks to Rasheed Kidwai about DK Shivakumar's rise to Karnataka Chief Minister and the Congress power arrangement behind it. The conversation frames his elevation as a test of patience, political management and backing from the party leadership.From Crisis Manager to Karnataka CM: Rasheed Kidwai decodes the rise of DK ShivakumarDK Shivakumar’s elevation to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s post may have ended months of political speculation, but questions around his rise, his equation with the Congress high command and his long-running rivalry with Siddaramaiah continue to generate interest.In the latest episode of Booked, India Today’s Marya Shakil speaks to veteran political journalist and author Rasheed Kidwai about his latest book on Shivakumar and the political journey that transformed the Karnataka leader from Congress troubleshooter and kingmaker into the man at the helm of the state.One of the biggest questions addressed during the conversation is whether the Congress leadership had agreed to a rotational Chief Minister formula after its 2023 Karnataka victory. Kidwai says Shivakumar’s eventual elevation establishes that such an arrangement did exist. He also recounts a meeting in which Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly put Rahul Gandhi on speakerphone so those involved knew of the arrangement.Kidwai also challenges the perception that Rahul Gandhi backed Siddaramaiah while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra favoured Shivakumar. According to him, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi ultimately backed Shivakumar. The conversation goes beyond succession politics to examine what makes DK Shivakumar politically valuable to the Congress.Kidwai describes him as a hands-on politician with an extensive network and recalls his role during Ahmed Patel’s fiercely contested 2017 Rajya Sabha election. It is in this context that he says Shivakumar is sometimes described in Congress circles as the party’s “Amit Shah”, while adding that such a comparison has its limits. Money and political resources also feature prominently. Shakil questions Kidwai about Shivakumar’s wealth and whether access to resources influenced his ascent. Kidwai acknowledges that resources matter significantly in politics, but argues that wealth without political instinct is not enough. Shivakumar’s political heft, organisational skills and ability to manage people, he says, are equally important.Another revealing section deals with Shivakumar’s 50 days in Tihar Jail. Kidwai says the period was traumatic for the Congress leader and claims there were “feelers” involving a possible change in political loyalty — an option Shivakumar did not take.Watch the video here: The interview also explores Shivakumar’s overt Hindu identity, temple visits, his controversial rendition of an RSS song in the Karnataka Assembly and how it fits within the wider ideological spectrum of the Congress.At its heart, Kidwai’s portrait is of a politician defined as much by patience as ambition — a leader who waited, built alliances and avoided the political mistake his rivals may have been hoping he would make.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 16:05 IST