Only hard work pays off in Congress, says DK Shivakumar

Bengaluru: The ability to organise things at short notice and sheer hard work- these were the two qualities which helped him rise to the top in politics without any ‘godfather’s’ support, said Vokkaliga community strongman and medical education and water resources minister, D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday.

Doling out lessons to aspiring youngsters in politics while speaking at the felicitation ceremony of newly elected Indian Youth Congress vice-president, B.V. Srinivasa here, Mr Shivakumar said, “Becoming a leader in the Congress is very easy if you are a hard and sincere worker and a good organiser. Many youngsters keep saying that they need a godfather to rise in politics. This is not the right attitude to adopt. Develop yourself as a leader by working hard in whatever role you are given. I rose from the NSUI president’s post to this level which is a case in point.”

Heaping praise on Mr Srinivasa, Mr Shivakumar said, “He came to me when he was very young and brash. He gained popularity after he smeared ink on Hindutva hardliner, Pramod Mutalik’s face. He was left in the lurch by party leaders, but it was I who stood by him and he did not disappoint me. He went on to work hard for the party and never cribbed about the party treating him shabbily in tough times. He worked hard to achieve what he is today.”

“I am proud that he is following the same path that I did in my younger days, working hard and getting better and better in his organsing skills as the days passed by. I am sure he will rise to greater heights in the days to come,” he said.

Newly elected IYC vice-president, Srinivasa said, “I am greatly indebted to my leader Mr Shivakumar who stood by me like a rock when a section of youngsters tried to expel me from the party thrice on the charge of smearing ink on Mr Mutalik’s face. Mr Shivakumar was KPCC working president, he saved me.”