DK Shivakumar: Southern election results a clear rejection of BJP
Synopsis
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar didn't just celebrate — he went on the offensive, alleging that 96 lakh voters were removed from electoral rolls and 2.5 lakh armed personnel deployed as part of systematic BJP power misuse. His central message: the south has spoken, and it has spoken against the BJP.
Key Takeaways
DK Shivakumar alleged the BJP deployed 2.5 lakh Central Armed Police Forces and removed 96 lakh voters from electoral rolls during recent elections.
He said the UDF won a significant mandate in Kerala despite an alleged LDF-BJP understanding.
In Tamil Nadu , he argued voters rejected BJP allies even as the DMK lost, keeping "communal forces" away from power.
Shivakumar said he would act on party direction regarding any potential talks with actor Vijay 's TVK .
He rebuffed BJP criticism over campaign losses, pointing to BJP's own defeats in Bagalkot and Davanagere South .
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 4 May alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had systematically misused power across several states during the recent assembly elections. Speaking at the KPCC office in Bengaluru and later in Kanakapura, Shivakumar said the southern verdict sends a clear message that voters have rejected the BJP and its allies.
Allegations of Power Misuse
Shivakumar alleged large-scale misuse of authority by the BJP, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu. "In this election, the BJP has misused power extensively. Around 2.5 lakh Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed, and nearly 96 lakh voters were removed from the electoral rolls," he alleged. The BJP has not yet responded to these specific claims.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Results
On Kerala, Shivakumar said the United Democratic Front (UDF) had been brought to power with a significant mandate. "Despite an alleged understanding between the LDF and the BJP, people have blessed us with victory," he said. He added that during campaigning, he had expressed confidence in a two-thirds majority. "All leaders in Kerala worked unitedly, and I congratulate them, along with the party workers and voters," he said.
Referring to Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar noted that although the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lost, voters had rejected BJP allies, thereby keeping what he described as "communal forces" at bay. He congratulated the Tamil Nadu electorate for the outcome.
On TVK Alliance and Tamil Nadu Strategy
When asked whether the Congress would hold talks with actor Vijay's party, the Tamil Victory Kazhagam (TVK), Shivakumar said he would act as per the party's direction. "I do what the party asks me to do. I will not speculate on other matters," he said. He also clarified his earlier remarks about Vijay's political experience, saying they were made in the context of campaign-period statements. "He had said that the Congress supported them. When we are already in an alliance with one party, how can we extend support elsewhere?" he explained.
BJP Criticism and Shivakumar's Rebuttal
Responding to BJP criticism that the Congress had lost in constituencies where he had personally campaigned, Shivakumar pushed back sharply. "BJP leaders had campaigned in Bagalkot and Davanagere South as well. Why didn't they win there? They make such remarks because they are given attention," he said. On the Assam results, he remarked philosophically, "As a politician, I must always remain hopeful."
What's Next
With the southern results consolidating the Congress's opposition narrative ahead of future electoral cycles, the party is expected to use these outcomes to build coalition momentum in states where the BJP and its allies remain dominant. Shivakumar's comments signal that the Congress intends to frame the southern mandate as a national-level inflection point against the ruling party at the Centre.
Point of View
While serious, remain unsubstantiated in this statement and warrant independent scrutiny. Notably, the Congress itself underperformed in Assam and faces questions about its own alliance arithmetic in Tamil Nadu. The TVK question — deftly deflected — is the real strategic puzzle: how the Congress navigates a crowded southern opposition space without fracturing its existing alliances will matter more than any post-result press conference.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did DK Shivakumar say about the southern election results?
DK Shivakumar said the results from southern India send a clear message that voters have rejected the BJP and its allies. He made these remarks on 4 May at the KPCC office in Bengaluru and in Kanakapura.
What allegations did Shivakumar make about the BJP during the elections?
Shivakumar alleged that the BJP misused power extensively, deploying around 2.5 lakh Central Armed Police Forces personnel and removing nearly 96 lakh voters from electoral rolls. He specifically named West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu as states where this misuse was concentrated.
What did Shivakumar say about the Kerala election outcome?
He said the UDF was brought to power with a significant mandate in Kerala, adding that he had expressed confidence in a two-thirds majority during the campaign. He congratulated Kerala's party leaders, workers, and voters for the united effort.
Will the Congress ally with TVK in Tamil Nadu?
Shivakumar did not commit to any alliance with Vijay's TVK, saying he would act as per the Congress party's direction. He also clarified that the party cannot split support between two different allies simultaneously.
How did Shivakumar respond to BJP criticism about his campaign performance?
He countered that BJP leaders had also campaigned in Bagalkot and Davanagere South but failed to win there. He dismissed the criticism as remarks made to attract attention.
