Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar copies BJP playbook, to rebuild Congress from booth up

BENGALURU: With an eye on winning the 2028 assembly elections, Congress president DK Shivakumar on Monday revealed plans to transform the state unit into a “cadrebased party” through a programme called ‘Congress Kutumba’ (family).
Speaking at an event organised to commemorate former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s death anniversary on Monday, Shivakumar, who also serves as deputy CM, said preparations are underway to dissolve all block units of the party to provide opportunities for new faces.
He urged all office bearers and district presidents, who have been serving in these posts for five years or more to make way for fresh blood.
Shivakumar, who plans to continue as Congress state president for another year, said he will meet with all KPCC office bearers on Saturday (June 1) to launch the new programme. “In every booth,50 families should be made members,” he said.
BJP weakness an opportunity
The trigger for change appeared to be BJP president JP Nadda’s remarks that the party would conduct elections without RSS. Shivakumar said, “Without RSS, they [BJP] are zero. If we don’t make our party a cadrebased party now... look at the way BJP uses RSS [cadres] during elections.”
He urged functionaries to shoulder responsibility and contribute to the party regardless of their position — “whether MP, MLA, minister, or office bearer”. “We must grow this kutumba (family). We must convert it into a cadre-based party and strengthen the hands of workers. Everyone should be prepared for this change.”
He also said all ministers, including the CM, will from now on, spend three hours ofa day every month interacting with party workers at the party office.
“There will be a system in place for this. Workers who want to participate must fix an appointment by filling an application with membership number. Representation will be given to all districts. If one doesn’t get an opportunity this month, they will have a chance next month. Office bearers and a working president will coordinate and oversee these meetings,” he said.
Shivakumar went on to say, “This is not a four-year govt; it is a 10-year govt. We must prepare a roadmap and a foundation for this now.
Pointing out that the party gave tickets to new faces “without any trouble” for the Lok Sabha polls, Shivakumar said, “This was done keeping the future in mind. Youngsters who worked for the party were given priority. Some of them may be children of ministers, but they too identified themselves with party organisation.”