The DKS Effect: How Congress's New Chief Minister Upsets BJP's Karnataka Calculus

Key points

• The DKS Effect: How Congress's New Chief Minister Upsets BJP's Karnataka Calculus Written By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 17:01 IST Perhaps the biggest concern within BJP circles is that the leadership transition allows Congress to present itself as politically refreshed Rapid Read New Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar When DK Shivakumar finally took oath as Karnataka’s chief minister on Wednesday, it marked the end of a long, and bitter, succession battle within the Congress.
• But while the ceremony was a moment of celebration for the ruling party, it has also triggered a fresh round of introspection within the BJP.
• According to BJP leaders quoted by The Indian Express, Shivakumar‘s elevation has complicated the party’s electoral calculations ahead of the 2028 assembly election.
• The concern is not merely that Congress has changed its chief minister.
• It is that the party may have managed to convert what was once seen as its...