DK Shivakumar to be Karnataka's new Deputy CM: All you need to know about ‘Kanakapura Rock’
2 min read 18 May 2023, 07:08 AM ISTShivakumar is slated to take oath on 20 May in Bengaluru
PremiumKarnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar, who won from Kanakapura constituency in the Karnataka Assembly Elections defeating Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) state minister R Ashoka, has been designated the chief minister of Karnataka by the Congress High Command. Shivakumar is slated to take oath on 20 May.
Shivakumar, who had skipped visiting Delhi on Monday citing ‘stomach infection’ landed in national capital on Tuesday and met the Congress High Command at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. The meeting was also attended by Siddharamiah, and Rahul Gandhi.
Known for his organisational strength, Shivakumar is also tagged as the ‘troubleshooter’ for Congress in Karnataka.
Here are key points about Karnataka's new CM
-Shivakumar was born to Kempegowda and Gouramma in Kanakapura near Bangalore, Karnataka. He belongs to the Vokkaliga community.
-He won his first election in 1989 when he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from the Sathanur constituency in Mysuru district.
-Shivakumar has won from Kanakapura constituency in 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023.
-The 61 year-old KPCC president had been the minister of irrigation in the cabinet of HD Kumaraswamy. He was the energy minister of Karnataka from 2014-2018.
-Shivakumar is known for his closeness with to Gandhi family, especially Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and his fierce loyalty for the Congress party.
-Shivakumar also enjoys the backing of the dominant Vokkaliga community, its influential seers and leaders.
-He is credited with playing a critical role in the formation of the coalition government of Indian National Congress and Janata Dala (Secular) in Karnataka following the 2018 election.
-Shivakumar is among the richest politicians in India. Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections he had declared assets of ₹1,413 crore.
-Shivakumar has served jail time in Tihar. He has cases against him in before IT, ED and CBI
-On 2 August 2017, I-T department seized ₹8 crore from Shivakumar's Delhi residence and ₹2 crore from other locations, after conducting a raid carried out by 300 officials for a span of 80 hours in 67 locations. The raids were carried out citing alleged tax irregularities
-The raids ended on 5 August and reportedly an undisclosed income of nearly ₹300 crore was recovered. He and his associates were given anticipatory bail.
-On 3 September 2019, he was arrested on charges of money laundering and income tax evasion. He has called the charges "baseless" and "politically motivated" done by the BJP government of Karnataka.
-Shivakumar married Usha in 1993 and has two daughters, Aishwarya and Aabharana, and a son Aakash with her. His eldest daughter is married to Amartya, son of Café Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha.
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
