The Congress party is focusing on Telangana after their election victory in Karnataka. They are considering giving a key role to DK Shivakumar, who helped them win in Karnataka. The Congress leadership may use his services for upcoming elections in Telangana, which are due at the end of the year. The party needs a strong leader like Shivakumar to restore its former stronghold in Telangana.
Shivakumar, who led the Karnataka Congress to victory by uniting the party and enlisting support from various castes and communities, may be asked to replicate this in Telangana. The Congress in Telangana lacks charismatic leaders and party cadres are said to be in favour of roping in Shivakumar.
Shivakumar can help the Congress counter the BJP, which has been projecting itself as a viable alternative to the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The Congress sees Shivakumar as a “winning machine” who can unite factions and handle dissidents and rebels.
Congress leaders in Telangana believe that Shivakumar’s experience can come in handy for the party in not only uniting different warring groups within the party but also forging alliances with other like-minded parties. Shivakumar has close relations with YS Sharmila, leader of YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) and daughter of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR).
Shivakumar’s meeting with Sharmila in Bengaluru is seen as a possible beginning of a more serious dialogue. Some Congress leaders in Telangana see a common ground in joining hands with her. Meanwhile, Sharmila conveyed her birthday greetings to Shivakumar and posted a photograph in which she is seen with Shivakumar and his wife.
