“I am a street fighter and I know how to fight. But my fight is not for power. The fight is not inside the party, it is outside. If someone thinks I am quiet, it is their mistake,” Shivakumar told reporters at Vidhana Soudha, responding to a remark that he was sounding like a ‘yogi’.
Reeling out what he described as his record of agitation politics, Shivakumar said he personally intervened during the Covid-19 pandemic to support stranded labourers, including distributing cheques worth Rs 1 crore from the party. He accused the BJP of overcharging migrant workers for travel and said he had camped at the Majestic bus stand to press for relief measures.
“I forced the government to allow free bus travel during Covid and got railway fares reduced. I consoled families of the Chamarajanagar oxygen tragedy victims when the district in-charge minister was misrepresenting death figures. I am even helping secure jobs for affected families. This is my track record as a fighter,” he said.
Asked whether he was preparing for a “revolution” after the state Budget, Shivakumar said: “Why should I? I have faith in myself and I live on promises.”
‘Won’t trouble party over CM post’
On Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent remark likening their relationship to “honey and milk”, Shivakumar said he had refrained from making any public comments on the leadership issue.“I have not spoken about the CM post anywhere. I have only said certain matters are between the CM, the high command and me. I have never said the CM’s chair is vacant or that it should be vacated. Those who want to unseat the CM are different,” he said.
As Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, he said he was conscious of his responsibilities. “At any cost, the party should not be affected because of me. Lakhs of workers have brought the party to power. I will not blackmail or trouble the party for personal reasons,” he said.
When pressed again on the “honey-milk” formulation, Shivakumar replied: “Definitely. Not just in 2023, it will remain like that in 2028 too.”
On speculation that rival parties were trying to woo him, he said cryptically: “If I write a book someday, I will explain everything.”
He also dismissed reports that the chief ministerial issue was discussed with Congress leaders in Delhi, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. “I don’t know about it. I haven’t spoken to them,” he said.
‘Six years as KPCC chief enough’
Shivakumar, who completes six years as KPCC president, indicated he was open to stepping aside to allow generational change.
“The party needs new blood and new thinking. We are all senior citizens now. Let newcomers come. Six years are enough for me,” he said, adding that he would host a dinner meeting on March 10 to mark the occasion.
Responding to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s allegations of phone tapping, Shivakumar played down the charge. “All legislators have aspirations. Didn’t Modi become CM without becoming an MLA? You (media) can also try if you want,” he quipped, adding that he does not usually interact with police officers beyond those officially assigned to him.
On why he has stayed silent on the CM post after his recent Delhi visit, Shivakumar said: “Time will answer.”
