Karnataka winter session: When are you going to ‘kick the door’ to get CM’s post, Opposition asks D.K. Shivakumar

The banter emerged as Shivakumar was recalling the formation of the ministry by S.M. Krishna back in 1999

Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar’s remarks that the ministerial post did not come to him on a platter even in the Cabinet of S.M. Krishna, though he was his trusted lieutenant and that he got the post by “kicking the door”, paved the way for a speculative debate in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday (December 12, 2024) with the Opposition asking him when he is going to “kick the door” now to become the Chief Minister.

Back in 1999

The issue came up when Mr. Shivakumar was recalling the formation of the ministry by Krishna after winning the Assembly polls in 1999, while paying homage to him in the Assembly. He was saying he had to fight to get the ministerial post, contrary to the general perception that his position as a minister in the Krishna Cabinet was a forgone conclusion considering his proximity to him.

“I played a crucial role as an independent MLA when P.V. Narasimha Rao was the prime minister to get Rajya Sabha ticket for Krishna. Later, when he became KPCC president, I stood with him. On his part, Krishna too trusted me completely. In fact, it was I who finalised the list of ministers to be sworn-in through consultations with Krishna as I was his trusted lieutenant and forwarded it to the high command. But I was shocked to learn the night before the swearing-in ceremony that my name was missing in the list of ministers to be sworn-in, which had got the final approval,” he said.

“The astrologer whom I consult told me that I am not going to get the ministerial post on a platter and I have to barge in. I literally did it by rushing to Krishna’s residence late in the night and kicking the door. Krishna and his family tried to convince me saying that I would be inducted sometime later. But I told them clearly that they cannot go ahead with the swearing-in ceremony without inducting me. I stood my ground and finally Krishna managed to convince the party high command to induct me into the ministry,” Mr. Shivakumar said.

Taking a cue from his remarks, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok immediately intervened and asked him, “When are you going to kick the door now to get the chief ministerial post?” This was in an obvious reference to speculations that there is a power sharing agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar according to which he may get the chief ministerial post later.

The Opposition members thumped the desks and urged him to reply to this. As Mr. Shivakumar paused for some time, Mr. Ashok said: “I also know your astrologer. He has indicated to me that you need to again kick the door to get the chief ministerial post and that you have to get it by January 2025 itself as your stars are not good later.”

Switching sides

Responding to this in a lighter vein, Mr. Shivakumar said, “If I tell you what my astrologer has told me, you will be shocked. Over 30 MLAs from BJP may switch political sides.” To this, Mr. Ashok remarked, ”It could be an indication that you may join the BJP and they would be supporting you.”

Published - December 12, 2024 05:47 pm IST