D.K. Shivakumar: Congress's Crisis Manager, Karnataka's Kingmaker

Rasheed Kidwai

Few politicians in contemporary India command as much loyalty, are embroiled in as much controversy and exude as much political energy as D.K. Shivakumar. From a grassroots organizer in rural Karnataka to one of the most powerful figures in state and national politics, Shivakumar’s journey is a story of ambition, resilience and relentless political instinct.

D.K. Shivakumar traces the rise of the man widely known as ‘Kanakapura Bande’ (Rock of Kanakapura), his role in shaping the fortunes of the Indian National Congress in Karnataka, the dramatic battles for power in Bengaluru, and the debates and confrontations that have defined his career. Through triumphs, setbacks and high-stakes political drama, this fascinating biography reveals how Shivakumar became one of the most formidable power players in Indian politics today.