D.K. Shivakumar’s Assam Visit Sparks ₹100 Crore Funding Speculation Amid Karnataka Power Tussle

In a high-stakes political crossover, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent entry into Assam’s election landscape has set the rumor mills spinning. Appointed as a senior observer for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, Shivakumar finds himself at the center of a complex narrative involving "election funding" and his own aspirations for the Chief Ministerial chair back home in Bengaluru.

The Observer Role & The Rumor Mill

D.K. Shivakumar arrived in Assam alongside former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Bandhu Tirkey to steady the ship for the Congress party. However, his visit has been shadowed by a viral claim: that Shivakumar promised a massive ₹100 crore toward Assam’s election expenses.

According to these unconfirmed reports, the "offer" was conditional—contingent on Assam’s Congress leadership backing his future bid for the Karnataka Chief Minister post.

As of February 19, 2026, there is no official AICC statement or credible on-record reporting to substantiate this ₹100 crore funding promise. While Shivakumar is known for his organizational and fundraising prowess, this specific "quid pro quo" remains speculative.

The Priyanka Factor: A Search for Unity

The timing of Shivakumar’s visit coincides with a critical two-day mission by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Guwahati. As the head of the party's screening committee, she has introduced a "new system" where committee members travel to grassroots districts for feedback.

Her presence is seen as a "firefighting" measure following the dramatic resignation of former state chief Bhupen Borah on February 16. The state unit is currently battling:

Public disagreements between senior leaders like Borah and current state chief Gaurav Gogoi.

The "Study Tour" Counter-Move

While Shivakumar is busy in the Northeast, the political heat in Karnataka remains high. In a move widely interpreted as a "power play," a group of Congress MLAs loyal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have embarked on a "study tour" to Australia and New Zealand.

Though officially described as a trip to study international agricultural and livestock practices, political analysts view it as a strategic move to:

Prevent Poaching: Keeping loyalists together and away from internal lobbying.

Maintain Influence: Ensuring the "Siddaramaiah camp" remains unified amid the ongoing power-sharing tension with Shivakumar.

What Happens Next

The Congress party is currently managing two distinct but interconnected fires. In Assam, the focus is on candidate screening and preventing a total organizational meltdown. In Karnataka, the struggle is for long-term leadership, with Shivakumar's every move being scrutinized through the lens of his CM ambitions.

Watch for: Any formal response from the AICC regarding the funding allegations.

Key Dates: The "study tour" group is expected to return to Bengaluru by March 1, just ahead of the state budget.