Siddaramaiah posts ‘heartfelt’ congratulations to ‘comrade’ DK Shivakumar

BENGALURU: Outgoing Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday congratulated DK Shivakumar on being elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, praising his “indomitable dynamism, organisational acumen, and unwavering loyalty,” with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place on June 3.In a post on X, Siddaramaiah wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations to Comrade DK Shivakumar on being elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Dear Shivakumar, as a colleague, I have closely observed your indomitable dynamism, organizational acumen, and unwavering loyalty to the Congress party. I wholeheartedly wish that all of this is put to good use for the people of the state. "In a message, the leader said today, Karnataka not only holds the top position in the country in terms of revenue but has also become a model for the nation in the equitable distribution of wealth, power, and opportunities. The fact that other states are adopting and implementing every scheme we have initiated fills us all with pride."For a total of eight years, I had the opportunity to serve as the Chief Minister of the state, and I take pride in having utilized that opportunity to develop Karnataka into a prosperous, self-reliant, and self-respecting state. The responsibility of carrying this development forward now rests on your shoulders. I have firm belief that you possess the steadfastness, capability, and foresight required for that, " Siddaramaiah added."In a situation where the entire country is gripped by fear due to economic insecurity, the people of the state too are anxious about the future. Along with instilling confidence in them through competent governance, the responsibility of leading the state on the path of development lies with you."Referring to the Congress party’s recent political setbacks at the national level, he said, “We may win or lose elections. But we must never lose ideologically. I am one who believes that if a political party loses ideologically, it cannot win elections and will eventually perish.”"The harmonious India built by the senior leaders of the Congress party through sacrifices and struggles is being torn apart in the name of caste and religion. The Constitution itself is being questioned. Those who question the government are being suppressed. Those who killed Gandhi are now setting out to glorify Godse, " Siddaramaiah futhur added.The only and correct path for us to save the country is to resolve to strengthen the Congress party, which has embraced the values of equality, harmony, social justice, and secularism enshrined in the Constitution as its own ideology, right from the grassroots level ideologically. We are in a phase where we must wage a second freedom struggle to protect the unity and integrity of the country and safeguard the honor of the Constitution. In this struggle, not just the legislature party but the seven crore people of the state will stand with you.The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 3 at 4:05 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.