# Karnataka CM Shivakumar praises opponents, claims power-sharing deal 2026-08-14T12:12:32+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets DK Shivakumar, in his maiden speech as Karnataka Chief Minister in the Legislative Council, praised political rivals including H.D. Kumaraswamy and credited former leaders across party lines for their vision. He urged Opposition cooperation and said he is open to investigation. "Power is not permanent," he said, adding that he wants to make friends. Separately, journalist Rasheed Kidwai told India Today that Shivakumar's elevation confirms a rotational chief minister formula existed after the 2023 Congress victory. Kidwai said party president Mallikarjun Kharge put Rahul Gandhi on speakerphone to affirm the arrangement, and that Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi all backed Shivakumar. Kidwai also described Shivakumar's 50 days in Tihar Jail as traumatic, with feelers for a change of loyalty that he rejected. ## Coverage - indiatoday.in - thehindu.com Tags: DK Shivakumar, Indian National Congress, Karnataka, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rasheed Kidwai, Siddaramaiah Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/dk-shivakumars-rise-as-karnataka-cm-kidwai-reveals-rotational-deal/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/dk-shivakumars-rise-as-karnataka-cm-kidwai-reveals-rotational-deal/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.