DKS CHECKMATES OPPONENTS, SAYS WILL LEAD CONG IN 2028

Deputy CM says he will be active in politics for another 8-10 years

- DEVARAJ B HIREHALLI @Bengaluru

DEPUTY Chief Minister DK Shivakumar seems to have checkmated his party leaders, who wished to replace him as KPCC president, by stating that he will lead the party in the Assembly polls in 2028. Shivakumar said he will be active in politics for another 8-10 years.

His statements are being interpreted as a message to both his friends and foes within the party. It came at a time when the coterie of ministers around Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trying to allegedly get Shivakumar replaced as KPCC president.

To a crowd that was chanting "DK, DK" at the state government employees' conference recently, he told, "You can raise such slogans when I win the next election and run the show under my leadership. My health is good and I will continue to be in politics for another 8-10 years. Have faith in me."