‘TN Results Surprising’: DK Shivakumar On Shifting Political Trends Across States

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Monday asserted that the Congress government’s flagship guarantee schemes have delivered tangible political dividends in the state. Speaking to the media, he said the welfare initiatives introduced by the government had directly addressed public concerns, contributing to positive outcomes in recent by-elections. Shivakumar emphasised that the schemes strengthened voter trust in the administration, reinforcing the party’s standing in Karnataka’s political landscape.

Highlighting specific electoral observations, Shivakumar pointed to the reduced victory margin in Davanagere South, noting that the party had anticipated a tighter contest due to local factors. He stated that while a margin of 25,000–30,000 votes was unlikely amid confusion on the ground, the Congress remained confident of securing a comfortable win. He also acknowledged the role of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), indicating that the party had an influence by attracting minority votes, which impacted the overall margin in the constituency.

Addressing concerns about the broader political implications of the results, Shivakumar dismissed the possibility of any immediate changes in Karnataka’s governance. He maintained that the state government remains stable and unaffected by electoral fluctuations elsewhere. Taking a swipe at previous administrations, he remarked that even during the tenure of a “double-engine government,” little had been achieved, suggesting that the current government’s welfare-driven approach stands in contrast to earlier governance models.

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Turning to developments in other states, Shivakumar expressed optimism about the Congress party’s prospects in Kerala, particularly under the United Democratic Front (UDF). He noted that the alliance had previously performed well in local body elections and suggested that public sentiment was shifting after a decade of rule by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). According to him, voters in Kerala were increasingly inclined towards change, which was reflected in their response during the campaign.

Commenting on the Tamil Nadu election results, Shivakumar described them as “surprising,” pointing to the emergence of new political dynamics in the state. He said the Congress had not fully grasped the evolving public mood, despite signals from local leaders. Referring to the influence of celebrity-driven politics, he acknowledged that such appeal had exceeded expectations, indicating a shift in voter behaviour and the growing impact of non-traditional political entrants.

Shivakumar also addressed outcomes in Assam and West Bengal, expressing disappointment over the party’s performance in Assam, where expectations of securing 50–60 seats were not met. He attributed part of the setback to constituency delimitation, which he claimed consolidated minority voters in specific areas. Regarding West Bengal, he alleged misuse of authority and raised concerns about the role of the Election Commission, claiming that large-scale deletion of votes had influenced the results.

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