Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar showed confidence in the talent pool of his state, and said no other regions, including North India, were a match. He made the big statement during an exclusive sit-down with India Today’s consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai on the sidelness of the World Economic Forum 2026.
“You may give anything. You may create any type of infrastructure. Without your brain, without your heart, without your weather, no one can work. The cosmopolitan culture, the weather, you can’t match Bengaluru and Karnataka,” the Congress veteran confidently said.
When asked if the recent controversy over the pothole-riddled roads of Bengaluru and the pictures of the same on social media repel investors from putting in money to the state, Shivakumar dismissed it. “No one is worried about anything. They know the population, they know the strength…They feel that it is a great city (Bengaluru) to work with a talented pool,” the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister told Sardesai.
Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shivakumar said that Bengaluru is not competing with other states; it is competing globally. “I don’t want to compete with any of the states, neighbouring states, or any of the states in country…Bangalore and Karnataka is competing globally. California has 1.3 million of techs, where Bangalore has 25 million techs. That is the strength of Bangalore. Every year, we produce more than 2 lakh. That is 2 million. The talent, human resources, you can’t match.”
The Congress leader quoted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to back his point, saying that 25 years ago while inaugurating Bengaluru international airport, the latter said that the world was looking at India through the Karnataka capital.
WILL THERE BE A SOLUTION TO BENGALURU’S PERENNIAL TRAFFIC?
Commenting on the infamous traffic jams of Bengaluru, DK Shivakumar said that tunnels are the only option to tackle the problem. He also dismissed a comparison with Mumbai, saying the resources and economy of both cities are not alike. “We just started, after we came to the government, there was no other solution. I have discussed it with Nitin Gadkari. Various other leaders, including the Prime Minister, a lot of them agree that (underground) tunnel (system) is the only option for Bangalore,” he explained.
“So, 46 kilometres I have identified. (In the) first phase, I’m taking 17 kilometres. Now, the loan has already been sanctioned. The government is giving 40 per cent,” Shivakumar said.
WHAT’S THE SPECULATION ABOUT THE KARNATAKA CM?
Kaun banega mukhya mantri – When Rajdeep Sardesai asked Shivakumar about the constant speculation on the chief ministerial matter, the Congress veteran refused to comment on it, saying that he is in Davos for his state. He also demanded a rollback of the G Ram G bill and the return of the MGNREGA, stressing that the latter was aimed at rural development.
He further said that the matters of Karnataka politics are to be discussed in Bengaluru or Delhi, and not Davos. The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister also said that he is confident that the party’s top brass will take the right call. However, when pressed and asked if he would be back in Davos at the WEF next year as a minister or the CM, Shivakumar said, “I live on hope.”
– Ends
Published On:
Jan 23, 2026
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