The Congress leader claimed that he had done thorough research on all political parties and gone “deep inside” the BJP and RSS.
Published Aug 22, 2025 | 5:29 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Shivakumar spontaneously broke into a stanza of the RSS anthem on the Assembly floor on Thursday.
Synopsis: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress a day after he was heard singing the RSS’s anthem on the floor of the assembly during a debate. He dismissed speculation of any alignment with the BJP or RSS, saying he had studied all political parties to understand his opponents and allies.
A day after his impromptu rendition of a stanza from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) anthem in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly triggered left tongues wagging, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday, 22 August reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress and dismissed speculation about any alignment with the BJP or the RSS.
“I am a Congressman for life! I am a born Congressman; my blood, my life, everything is here. I know my friends and I know my opponents, and I understand them with clarity of thought,” Shivakumar wrote in a post on X.
“The RSS and BJP must reflect on their own history and ties, but let there be no doubt – I stand only with the Congress. I will live and lead for the Congress Party with all my heart and soul.”
When asked about the rumour mill suggesting that it was a hint of his joining hands with the BJP, Shivakumar claimed that he had done thorough research on all political parties and gone “deep inside” the BJP and RSS.
“…I have carried out research on all political parties. I have conducted major research on all political parties. I know how the RSS is building institutions in Karnataka. They are acquiring schools in every district, Taluk, investing a lot of money, and trying to preach to children,” he said, speaking to reporters.
“So, as a leader, I should know who my opponents are, who my friends are. So, I just try to know about the history of RSS. Politically, we have a lot of differences. That is a different issue. But the BJP also should know that I have gone very deep into them.”
On Thursday, the BJP had accused Shivakumar in the Assembly of abetting the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede by creating a frenzy, alleging that he accompanied the RCB team from the airport to the stadium while waving the Kannada flag and celebrating along the route.
Defending himself, he said he attended the event as a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and as Bengaluru’s in-charge Minister. “I did wish them [RCB], I kissed the cup as well. I have done my job,” he said.
The RSS anthem episode began when Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka reminded him of his “past roots wearing the RSS chaddi.”
Shivakumar suddenly broke into the anthem, drawing laughter in the House. BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar quipped, “Hope these lines are not removed from the records.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
