D.K. Shivakumar with a Modi-style playbook?

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent public appearances suggest an increasing reliance on political symbolism, religious outreach and carefully crafted visual messaging — features that have long been associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of mass communication.

Soon after his victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Modi prostrated on the steps of the Parliament before entering the House. Mr. Shivakumar too, soon after taking oath as the Chief Minister and before entering the Vidhana Soudha, was seen prostrating at the entrance to the seat of power.

After assuming office in 2014, Mr. Modi declared that India was entering a “new era of development”. Mr. Shivakumar echoed a similar sentiment after the first Cabinet meeting and said it was the beginning of a “Nava Yuga” (new era) and “Yuva Yuga” (era of youngsters).

Mr. Modi’s famous “chowkidar” (watchman) narrative during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign portrayed him (PM chair) as a guardian of the nation rather than merely a holder of public office. In a similar vein, Mr. Shivakumar said, “The CM’s chair is not mine; it belongs to the people and Congress workers. The people of the State have given me this opportunity and responsibility to safeguard the interest of the State.”

Religious symbolism is another area of convergence. Like Mr. Modi, Mr. Shivakumar has always been undertaking temple visits and offering special prayers. He participates in major religious events, projecting his faith as part of his public persona.

Both the leaders have also paid attention to personal branding through distinctive attire and visual presentation. While the “Modi Kurta” became a signature style that was consequently followed by many, Mr. Shivakumar’s style of draping high-end designer scarves and stoles over his formal attire is likely to be emulated by many youngsters in the coming days.

The Chief Minister too began cultivating a distinct visual identity through strong social media messaging, a technique associated with Mr. Modi’s political style.

While the two leaders differ significantly in ideology and political context, both of them reached the top posts by doing hard work at the grassroots levels and are known for highly visible campaigns. Mr. Shivakumar’s campaign “Our Water, Our Right" (Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku) during the 2023 poll campaign is a political rallying cry for the Mekedatu dam project, which is being opposed by Tamil Nadu.

While Modi’s political persona is built around a national leadership narrative, governance reforms, and ideological messaging linked to the BJP, Mr. Shivakumar’s image is rooted more in his reputation as an organisational strategist, trouble-shooter, and regional mass leader within the Congress.