‘In Interest Of State’: After Backlash, DK Shivakumar Likely To Attend Davos Summit

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 17:26 IST

DK Shivakumar said that he has been receiving calls asking him to be part of the discussions and that he is in the process of fixing appointments.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (Image: News18)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is reconsidering his earlier decision to cancel his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, saying that he has received permission from the party leadership in Delhi to attend the key summit in Switzerland.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that he has received permission from the party leadership in Delhi to attend the Davos meetings and added that several leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have been urging him to go.

Shivakumar said that even Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has advised him to attend the World Economic Forum. “Sometimes, one has to take the advice of the opposition in the interest of the state," he said, adding that when it comes to Karnataka’s interests, everyone will work together.

Shivakumar further said that he has also been receiving calls asking him to be part of the discussions and that he is in the process of fixing appointments.

According to sources, if logistical arrangements work out, Shivakumar may travel to Davos as early as Tuesday morning. His office said a change in his schedule has opened a window for the visit, prompting a rethink on the earlier cancellation.

Why Shivakumar Cancelled His Davos Trip?

Earlier, Shivakumar had cancelled his scheduled visit to the WEF, citing official engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

“The Deputy CM has a series of meetings lined up with AICC functionaries regarding Assam assembly elections and is also spearheading the campaign against the union government over MGNREGA due to which a five-day special session of the Karnataka Assembly is scheduled to begin from January 22," his office said in a release on Saturday.

He was also leading the Karnataka government’s campaign against the Union Government over MNREGA, ahead of a five-day special session of the Karnataka Assembly beginning January 22.

World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 begins today in Davos, Switzerland, with India set to make a strong pitch to global investors, policymakers, and business leaders. The five-day summit is being held under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, at a time when the global economy is grappling with slowing growth, geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruption, and the challenge of rebuilding trust across nations.

The meeting is expected to focus on economic resilience, artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, global risks, and geopolitics, with discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between governments and industry leaders.

India’s delegation at Davos 2026 includes senior political leadership and a large corporate contingent, reflecting the country’s intent to position itself as a current — not future — engine of global growth.

Four Union ministers, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi, and K Rammohan Naidu; Six chief ministers, Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), N Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), A Revanth Reddy (Telangana), and Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), are attending the summit.

In addition, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and senior delegations from Uttar Pradesh and Kerala are also attending the meeting.

News politics ‘In Interest Of State’: After Backlash, DK Shivakumar Likely To Attend Davos Summit

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