Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar turned 64 on Friday, 15 May, with grand celebrations erupting across the state as Congress leaders and supporters organised special prayers, temple rituals, cake-cutting ceremonies, and charity events — many of them openly calling for his elevation to the Chief Minister's post.

Key Developments

The birthday celebrations carried an unmistakable political undertone. Several Congress legislators had earlier indicated that the party high command might use the occasion to make an announcement on the Chief Ministership. While no such announcement materialised, supporters across multiple districts used the day to publicly assert Shivakumar's claim to the top post.

At the Durgamma Temple in Ballari, special prayers were offered under the leadership of Congress MP E. Tukaram and Ballari Urban Development Authority (BUDA) President Anjaneyalu. A 65-kg cake was cut and food was arranged for more than 2,000 people.

What Congress Leaders Said

Speaking to reporters at the Ballari event, MP Tukaram stopped short of a direct demand but signalled change was coming. 'We have prayed for D.K. Shivakumar's wishes to be fulfilled,' he said, adding that the high command would resolve Karnataka's leadership question in a manner similar to Kerala — widely read as a reference to a mid-term leadership transition.

'Just as changes happened in Kerala, the party high command will resolve issues in Karnataka too. A favourable political climate will emerge in the State in the coming days,' Tukaram said. He also noted that the Congress government held a mandate until 2028 and that collective party decisions would determine leadership.

BUDA President Anjaneyalu was more direct. 'We have made a vow praying that D.K. Shivakumar becomes the Chief Minister. Once our wish is fulfilled, we will offer our thanksgiving to the deity,' he said. 'Our vow is known only to God and to us,' he added.

Temple Prayers and Public Gatherings

Supporters also gathered at the Chamarajeshwara Temple in Chamarajanagar, performing special worship rituals and praying for Shivakumar's political rise. Slogans of 'Victory to future Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar' were raised by the crowd assembled at the temple premises.

In Bengaluru, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and several Congress leaders convened at Hotel Mourya to extend birthday greetings. The programme was organised by Congress leader Manohar, who reportedly donated to a school for visually impaired children as part of the celebrations — a tradition observed on both Shivakumar's and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's birthdays each year.

'Shivakumar has a great future ahead. He has organised the party and it is his strength,' Minister Reddy said.

The CM Question in Karnataka

Shivakumar is widely regarded as the principal challenger to incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah within the Karnataka Congress. He has publicly acknowledged his ambition, and has previously stated that both he and Siddaramaiah would be summoned to New Delhi by the party high command, with both prepared to abide by whatever decision is taken. This comes amid persistent speculation over a leadership rotation that the Congress central leadership has neither confirmed nor ruled out.

With the Karnataka government's term running until 2028, the coming months are expected to be politically consequential for the state's Congress leadership.