DK Shivakumar Urges Women's Wing to Gear Up for 2028 Polls

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar called on the Congress women’s wing to start preparing candidates for the 2028 Assembly elections, spotlighting the upcoming implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Speaking at a Women’s Day event hosted at the KPCC Bharat Jodo Bhawan, Shivakumar stressed the critical role women play in strengthening both the party and society, while voicing his frustration with the wing’s current performance.

Quoting former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Shivakumar said, “If the general public needs awareness, we must first educate women. An empowered woman uplifts her family, and an empowered family uplifts society.” He tied this to the Congress government’s guarantee schemes, which he claimed are driving women’s empowerment across Karnataka. “Our manifesto puts women at the core of development,” he added, noting that the party’s future hinges on active participation from youth and women.

Shivakumar underscored the cultural reverence for women, saying, “We call our language ‘mother tongue,’ worship Goddesses as deities of our land, and honor this planet as Mother Earth. Women are central to our society at every level.” Yet, he didn’t shy away from critique, admitting, “I’m not happy with the women’s wing—it hasn’t performed up to the mark. You have a chance now to achieve something big.”

He urged the wing to reflect on its efforts and step up, especially with new opportunities on the horizon. With the 2028 polls in sight, Shivakumar’s call signals a push for a stronger, women-led Congress presence in Karnataka’s political landscape.