DK Shivakumar reaches out to Bihar voters in Bengaluru, pledges community hall and seeks support for Mahagathbandhan

DK Shivakumar: As Bihar heads to a two-phase assembly election on November 6 and 11, the campaign heat is being felt far beyond its borders — all the way in Karnataka’s capital. Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday reached out to Bihar-origin residents in Bengaluru, urging them to support the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan alliance in the upcoming polls.

Addressing a gathering of Biharis at Kempapura near Hebbal, Shivakumar promised to construct a Bihari Samudaya Bhavan (community hall) in Bengaluru and appealed to migrant workers to back the Congress in Bihar. During his address, a section of attendees even chanted slogans wishing to see him become Karnataka’s next Chief Minister.

“We are all Indians. I stand before you not only as a Congress leader but as a fellow countryman who believes in unity and the Constitution,” Shivakumar told the crowd. “Freedom was won by the Congress. The sacrifices of the Gandhi family — from Indira Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi — are known to all. It was Sonia Gandhi who gave up the Prime Minister’s chair for the nation’s stability,” he added, invoking the party’s legacy.

When asked if they spoke Kannada, the crowd responded affirmatively, to which Shivakumar smiled and said, “You have learned so quickly. We just celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava, and today I have this opportunity to meet you. I am embarrassed that you don’t have a community hall here. Meet me again in a week or ten days — I will ensure a Samudaya Bhavan is built for you.”

Shivakumar went on to appeal to voters to support the Mahagathbandhan alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav, saying, “Nitish Kumar’s chapter is ending. It’s time for change in Bihar. Cast your votes for Mahagathbandhan and help us form a government there.”

He acknowledged the contributions of migrant Bihari workers to Bengaluru’s growth: “You are the backbone of our infrastructure. Without your hard work, these tall buildings wouldn’t exist. Though you live here, your vote lies in Bihar — make it count.”

Urging the crowd not to forget their roots, he concluded, “Siddaramaiah leads a stable government here, and I serve as the party’s president. But for Bihar’s future, I request your support. Help Mahagathbandhan win, help Tejashwi Yadav become Chief Minister.”

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