'She was Congress president for two decades, she even gave up power'; D K Shivakumar heaps praises on Sonia Gandhi

BENGALURU: The power struggle in Karnataka over the Chief Minister’s post continues. Amid this, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar praised Sonia Gandhi in a public address, recalling how she declined the opportunity to become Prime Minister in 2004 after the Congress-led UPA won the general elections. Shivakumar noted that instead of accepting the top post, Sonia Gandhi chose to nominate Manmohan Singh, demonstrating what he described as her commitment to the nation and the party.

“Sonia Gandhi was Congress president for 20 years. She even gave up power. At that time, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam invited her to take up the Prime Minister’s post. She refused and suggested Manmohan Singh, saying he was the right person to lead the country’s development,” Shivakumar said. He also urged people to stand with the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah and to bless them so they can return to power in the 2028 elections.

Last week, workers from the Shivakumar camp had demanded that Siddaramaiah step down as Chief Minister. The Congress leadership had hinted that both leaders would be called to Delhi to discuss the issue. However, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have clarified that no such message has been conveyed to them.