Shivakumar on politics: 'No one reveals their move in chess'
Synopsis
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar refused to tip his hand on Legislative Council poll tactics, invoking a chess analogy — but the real story is the quiet gathering of JD-S MLAs at his office and his pointed silence on Deve Gowda's Rajya Sabha exclusion, both signalling active political realignment beneath the surface.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar compared politics to chess at Vidhana Soudha on Monday , saying no one reveals their move in advance.
The remarks came amid questions over associate Vinay Karthik's candidature in Legislative Council elections and JD-S fielding an additional candidate.
Shivakumar declined to comment on BJP's denial of a Rajya Sabha ticket to former PM H.D.
Deve Gowda , saying he would abide by his party's position.
He paid tribute to close associate Suraj Hegde , grandson of late CM Devaraj Urs , announcing state honours at his final rites.
Several JD-S MLAs, including floor leader Suresh Babu , met Shivakumar at his office on the same day.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday drew a sharp parallel between politics and chess, saying no player announces their next move in advance. The remarks came during a media interaction at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, as questions swirled around Legislative Council elections and party positioning.
The Chess Analogy
'While playing a game of chess in politics, does anyone say in advance which piece they will move? No one does,' Shivakumar told reporters. The comment was made in response to questions about the candidature of his close associate Vinay Karthik in the Legislative Council elections and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) fielding an additional candidate — a development widely seen as a tactical counter-move.
On BJP, Deve Gowda, and Party Discipline
Shivakumar declined to weigh in on All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala's criticism that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had denied a Rajya Sabha ticket to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. 'I am not going to speak about it now. He has spoken, but I will not get into it. I will abide by my party's position,' the Chief Minister said, signalling a careful adherence to the Congress line on an issue with significant implications for Karnataka's coalition arithmetic.
Tribute to Suraj Hegde
The Chief Minister also paid an emotional tribute to Suraj Hegde, a close associate who passed away, describing him as a selfless party worker of considerable promise. 'Suraj Hegde is my close friend. He was known for sacrifice and never demanded positions,' Shivakumar said.
He noted that Hegde was the grandson of late Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, had served as vice-chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Committee, and had held the position of AICC secretary. Shivakumar added that Hegde had been a strong candidate for the Mysuru Lok Sabha seat and that the party had placed considerable trust in him.
'It is painful to see the grief of his family. His father was also a senior politician. Personally, we are deeply saddened. I pay my respects on behalf of the government and the party,' the Chief Minister said. He confirmed that the Karnataka government will accord Suraj Hegde state honours at his final rites and that he has instructed the Chief Secretary accordingly. Shivakumar also said he will personally attend the funeral.
JD-S MLAs and Congress Leaders Call on CM
Separately, a group of JD-S MLAs — including party floor leader Suresh Babu, C.N. Balakrishna, A. Manju, Kareemnavar, Sharada Puryanayak, Krishnappa, Nemiraj Nayak, and Venkata Shivareddy — met Shivakumar at his Vidhana Soudha office on Monday to extend greetings and felicitations. Former MLA Manjunath, along with Congress leaders and workers from Hunsur, and Congress spokesperson Lakshman, a close associate of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Mysuru, were also among those who called on the Chief Minister.
As Karnataka's political landscape heads into a busy election cycle, Shivakumar's chess metaphor signals that the ruling Congress is playing its cards close to its chest.
Point of View
Already under strain, can be stretched. Shivakumar's studied ambiguity may be tactically sound, but it also means the public and the press are left reading between the lines of a game whose rules keep shifting.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Karnataka CM Shivakumar use a chess analogy?
Shivakumar used the chess analogy on Monday at Vidhana Soudha to deflect questions about his associate Vinay Karthik's candidature in the Legislative Council elections and JD-S fielding an additional candidate. He said in chess, no one announces their next move in advance, signalling he would not reveal his political strategy.
What is the controversy over H.D. Deve Gowda's Rajya Sabha ticket?
AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala criticised the BJP for reportedly denying a Rajya Sabha ticket to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Shivakumar declined to comment on the matter, saying he would abide by his party's position.
Who was Suraj Hegde and why did Shivakumar pay tribute to him?
Suraj Hegde was a Congress party worker, close associate of CM Shivakumar, and grandson of late Karnataka Chief Minister Devaraj Urs. He served as vice-chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Committee and as an AICC secretary. Shivakumar announced that the Karnataka government will accord him state honours at his final rites.
Why did JD-S MLAs meet CM Shivakumar on Monday?
A group of JD-S MLAs, including floor leader Suresh Babu and several others, met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha to extend greetings and felicitations. The meeting is notable given the ongoing Legislative Council election dynamics and the broader Congress-JD-S political relationship in Karnataka.
What are the Karnataka Legislative Council elections about?
The Legislative Council elections are a key test of political alliances in Karnataka, with questions arising over Congress fielding Vinay Karthik and JD-S putting up an additional candidate. The contest is being watched as a signal of how the ruling Congress manages its coalition arithmetic ahead of future electoral cycles.
