Belagavi Banners Fuel DK Shivakumar's Chief Minister Bid in Karnataka

Karnataka's political landscape stirred once more on Friday as posters hailing Deputy CM and KPCC chief DK Shivakumar as the 'next Chief Minister' appeared in Belagavi and beyond, coinciding with his 64th birthday bash. The displays, defying his own call for restraint, have reignited debates over the state's leadership future. At Belagavi's Channamma Circle, a striking hoarding combined birthday felicitations with the ambitious label. It was reportedly orchestrated by M runal Hebbalkar, whose mother, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, attributes her ministerial success to Shivakumar's mentorship. The family's Congress credentials run deep, with uncle Channaraj Hattiholi as an MLC, making this a potent show of regional backing. Shivakumar, speaking from his Bengaluru celebrations, downplayed the hoopla. 'Celebrations lasted through the night with supporters queuing up. Their affection is boundless. I asked everyone to skip banners, and authorities have taken down half already,' he noted, striking a balance between humility and command. Morning brought Vedic rituals at his Sadashivanagar home, where priests invoked blessings amid mantra chants. Fellow minister Sharan Prakash Patil joined the well-wishers, highlighting Shivakumar's cross-party pull. These events underscore persistent undercurrents challenging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's position. Shivakumar's organizational prowess and grassroots appeal, particularly northward, position him as a formidable contender. While he publicly urges unity, the banners suggest impatient factions ready to elevate him. As Karnataka navigates internal Congress tensions ahead of future polls, this birthday spectacle serves as a barometer of shifting allegiances, with Shivakumar emerging as the undeniable focal point.