DK Shivakumar might emerge as Congress's Eknath Shinde: Karnataka BJP

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The Karnataka BJP made a provocative statement, drawing parallels between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde.

“There are many in Congress who could be like Eknath Shinde, DK Shivakumar might be one of them,” Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said, suggesting that the Congress strongman could be on the verge of engineering a split within the party.

Ashoka’s remarks come amid heightened speculation over Shivakumar’s proximity to the BJP, following his attendance at Isha Foundation’s Mahashivratri event in Coimbatore, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present.

The Karnataka BJP leadership seized upon this, fuelling murmurs of infighting within the ruling Congress.

Ashoka, sensing an opportunity to deepen the cracks, said on Feb 27 that he had long anticipated a leadership change within the Congress-led government, hinting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah could soon make way for Shivakumar.