I played football when I should have played chess: DK Shivakumar

He is a tough politician, who has served his party well in various capacities, especially when it comes to overseeing bypolls and anyone interacting with him, would undoubtedly get impressed by his unswerving commitment to the Congress. But Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the Congress’ poster boy in the Vokkaliga heartland, has reportedly been down in the dumps ever since the high command decided to continue Dr G. Parameshwar as KPCC chief, a post he thought was coming to him. While denying that a few senior leaders had made sure he lost the race for it as rumoured,  he intriguingly admitted  he had “played football” in a situation in which he  should have  “played chess” in an interview with Deccan Chronicle. Excerpts:

You were in the race for the post of KPCC chief, but  lost although you had the backing of party workers and many legislators.    
Workers  know my potential and the media too projected me.  Yes, it is a fact that workers and legislators suggested my name. But I have not asked for anything. The Congress high command knows what  is best for the party. They know what I should do and what post I should hold and will accordingly decide. You know I am a loyal Congressman and will do whatever it says. I feel humbled when party workers love me and show me so much gratitude. I salute them. They want me to be their leader. That is a great achievement in itself.

Many of your close friends and party leaders said you were very upset after you lost the KPCC president’s post.
(smiling) You are wrong. Why should I be upset? The party has given me everything. As I said earlier, when I was not in the race for the KPCC president’s post, the question of my being upset does not arise. If they  were upset with me, why would they give me the responsibility of overseeing elections? From the Bengaluru rural by-poll in 2013 to the latest Gundlupet bypoll  I have been given so many responsibilities and have handled them well and won them all. What more do I need? This clearly shows that our state leaders  respect me and have confidence in me.

But despite the hard work you have put in you have been denied the KPCC chief’s post.
(pause) No no, I do not work like that. I have a commitment towards the party, and I do not expect anything when I do something for it. As far as reward is concerned, I have a lot of time left in my career (to get it). Now, we have the Chief Minister at the helm of affairs, and I do whatever he says.  

It is said that  a few senior leaders from the state made sure you did not get the post.
No, I do not agree with you (smiling.) Why would senior leaders go against me? They too love me. I am in the cabinet and that itself is  testimony to the trust that the Chief Minister reposes in me. Whatever you are saying is wrong. You have misread the situation. What happens is , when workers and others start liking you and want you to become something, it becomes difficult.  But I have learnt a lesson this time. I played football.

What do you mean by saying “I played football?”
Yes. I played football in a situation where I should have played chess.

That is interesting, but what exactly do you mean by that?
(smiles) Football is a straight game and I tried to play it straight. But chess is a mind game and one needs a lot of knack and preparation to play it.

Being a veteran politician it's hard to believe you have not played chess in politics before.
Ha ha ha.. During elections I did play chess with my opponents. But now, I think I have to play chess with my partymen too (smiles).

In other words, senior leaders exploited you during elections , but when it came to honour you, they abandoned you. Is that what you are saying?
Not really. Why should I think like that (pause). Every day is not Sunday. I respect them.

Many say Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda too played his secular  card to stop the Congress high command from giving you the KPCC president’s post.
No No. He is a national leader and  can play politics. There’s nothing wrong with that. But he restricts himself to his party. Why would he interfere in our party’s affairs?

Don’t you think denying the KPCC president’s post to a Vokkaliga leader could drive the community towards other parties like Janata Dal (Secular)?
No, I don’t agree. We have so many Vokkaligas and Lingayats in the cabinet. We are confident that the majority communities will not desert the Congress. There is no reason for them to move away.

The latest buzz is you could get the Home portfolio. People in Kanakapura are celebrating.
I never lobby for any post. I told you at the start that I have never asked and nor will I ever ask for the Home portfolio. Whatever responsibility the party high command gives me, I will take.

Will you accept the campaign committee chairman’s post?
I will do whatever people ask me to. I know what the people of Karnataka want and will never let them down.