DK Shivakumar Hails Gandhi Family for Preserving Congress Unity and National Integrity

Bengaluru, August 3, 2025 — In a strong endorsement that reaffirms his loyalty to the Congress leadership, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday lauded the Gandhi family for their unwavering role in keeping the Congress party cohesive and for maintaining unity within the country during times of political fragmentation.

Speaking at a state-level Congress workers' meeting held in Bengaluru, Shivakumar referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as “pillars of India’s democratic integrity” and credited them with steering the party through some of the most turbulent political phases in recent years.

“Gandhis Held the Party Together When It Could Have Crumbled”

Addressing hundreds of Congress workers and senior leaders from across Karnataka, Shivakumar emphasized that the Congress party would not have survived post-2014 without the resilience shown by the Gandhis. “When the BJP was riding high and people were deserting Congress, it was Sonia Gandhi’s calm leadership and Rahul Gandhi’s unrelenting courage that held the ship together,” he said.

He further added, “The Gandhis could have taken the easy way out. But they chose to stay in the storm. That shows character and commitment—not just to a party, but to the very soul of this country.”

Shivakumar’s remarks come amid growing speculation about the Congress party’s 2025 Lok Sabha strategy, especially as the INDIA bloc (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) prepares to take on the Modi government.

Praise Amid Criticism from Opposition

The Karnataka leader’s comments also appeared to be a rebuttal to consistent opposition criticism, particularly from BJP quarters, that the Congress is a “family-run” party. “It’s not about family, it’s about values. The Gandhi family has inherited values of sacrifice, secularism, and nation-building,” he added.

Shivakumar's statement aligns with recent sentiments echoed by senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, who also acknowledged the critical role of the Gandhis in preserving ideological clarity within the party.

For further context, The Hindu recently covered Shivakumar’s consistent messaging around Congress’s moral backbone and his call for greater party discipline in Karnataka.

Political Timing and Strategic Messaging

Shivakumar’s remarks come at a crucial time when Karnataka remains a key state for the Congress following its massive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. With Lok Sabha elections just months away, Congress is keen on projecting unity and clear ideological leadership to counter the BJP’s narrative.

Political analysts believe that such statements also strengthen internal discipline within the Congress ranks, particularly in a state like Karnataka, where factionalism has occasionally surfaced between leaders such as Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

"By standing firmly behind the Gandhis, DK Shivakumar is not just making a political statement—he is reinforcing the image of a party anchored by legacy but focused on modern governance,” said political analyst Dr. Rajeev Kulkarni.

A Times of India report also notes that Congress is banking heavily on the Gandhi family’s public image in southern states, where their brand has seen consistent support.

Public and Party Reactions

Shivakumar’s speech drew a standing ovation at the event. Several party workers took to social media praising his commitment to party values and calling him “the bridge between legacy and future leadership.”

State Congress leader Priyank Kharge tweeted: “Unity, loyalty, and vision—DK Shivakumar echoes the voice of millions in our party. The Gandhis are not just leaders; they are the moral spine of our movement.”

Political observers also noted the subtle positioning of Shivakumar as a national-level leader who may increasingly play a bigger role in shaping Congress’s future leadership.

Conclusion

At a time when Indian politics is marked by polarization and aggressive posturing, DK Shivakumar’s unflinching support for the Gandhi family represents a strategic reaffirmation of ideological commitment. By linking the Congress's unity with national unity, his message aims to project the party not just as an electoral machine, but as a guardian of democratic values and secular ethos.

Whether this emotional and strategic alignment will translate into electoral gains for the Congress in 2025 remains to be seen, but the Karnataka Deputy CM has certainly set the tone for a deeper narrative around loyalty, resilience, and long-term vision.