‘Without Congress, India Would Not Have Got a Democratic System’: Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against criticism over his overseas visits, describing the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as a prominent political figure who receives invitations from foreign leaders and universities.

Shivakumar also underscored the Congress party’s historical role in India’s political development, saying the country would not have developed a democratic system without the party.

Speaking to reporters at Taj West End in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said Gandhi’s position as Leader of the Opposition made his international engagements significant.

“Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition. Many foreign leaders and universities invite him. Rahul Gandhi is a leader whom the entire world is looking towards,” Shivakumar said.

Responding to criticism that Congress was attempting to elevate Gandhi’s political standing, Shivakumar pointed to the party’s legacy and its contribution to the country’s democratic framework.

“The Congress party has a great history. If the Congress had not existed, this country would not have been able to get a democratic system. Even the Prime Minister knows this. We should not forget our roots. If we forget our roots, we will not succeed,” he said.

Shivakumar further argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position was possible within the democratic system that Congress had helped establish.

“Since the Congress party gave the country a democratic system, the Prime Minister is sitting in that position today,” he added.

Shivakumar Rejects Allegations Over Rahul Gandhi Video

The Chief Minister’s remarks come days after a political controversy erupted over a viral video from an INDIA Bloc protest march in New Delhi on October 12.

The footage showed Gandhi moving through a densely packed crowd, appearing to push or nudge people, including Shivakumar, as security personnel attempted to clear a path during the demonstration.

The march was organised towards the Supreme Court amid Opposition concerns over electoral integrity and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as well as demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

BJP leaders, including Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and party spokespersons, criticised Gandhi over the footage, accusing him of arrogance and displaying a sense of entitlement.

Shivakumar rejected the allegations that Gandhi had pushed or insulted him, describing the claims as misinformation spread by the BJP.

He characterised his relationship with Gandhi as one based on “trust, affection and family” and urged people not to draw conclusions from a brief, 10-second clip. He also called for attention to remain on the issues underlying the Opposition’s protest.