| D. K. Suresh | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 21 May 2013 – 4 June 2024 | |
| Preceded by | H. D. Kumaraswamy |
| Succeeded by | C. N. Manjunath |
| Constituency | Bangalore Rural |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1966-12-18) 18 December 1966 (age 58) Ramanagara, Karnataka, India |
| Citizenship | India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress. |
| Children | 1 son. |
| Parent(s) | Mr. D. Kempegowda (Father), Gowramma (Mother) |
| Relatives | D. K. Shivakumar (brother) |
| Residence | Bangalore & New Delhi. |
| Profession | Businessperson & Politician. |
| Committees | Member, Committee on Water Resources |
Doddaalahalli Kempegowda Suresh is an Indian politician and former member of Parliament of the 17th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Bangalore Rural constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Indian National Congress political party.
Early life and education
D. K. Suresh was born in Doddaalahalli, Ramanagara in the state of Karnataka, as the son of Kempegowda and Gowramma. He is the younger brother of D. K. Shivakumar, another noted Congress leader and the deputy chief minister of Karnataka (2023 - ). Suresh has received education till higher secondary. By profession, Suresh is a farmer and a businessperson.
Political career
D. K. Suresh is a three time MP. He was elected into 15th Lok Sabha in by-election on 21 May 2013 after sitting MP (then) H. D. Kumaraswamy’s resignation .
Controversy of 'separate nation' remark
In February 2024, D.K. Suresh (at the time a Member of Parliament) sparked controversy by suggesting that South India may need to demand a "separate country" due to perceived fiscal injustices by the central government. Suresh made this statement while reacting to the Union Budget, arguing that funds intended for South Indian states were being disproportionately redirected to North India. He highlighted that Karnataka, despite being a significant contributor to the national tax pool, faced budgetary neglect, which he attributed to policies that disadvantage the southern states.
The remarks drew immediate criticism from BJP leaders, including Tejasvi Surya, who accused Suresh of attempting to divide the nation. Surya pointed out the increase in tax devolution to Karnataka under the NDA government, contrasting it with the Congress's alleged "divide and rule" tactics. R. Ashoka, another BJP leader from Karnataka, condemned the statement as divisive, linking it to Congress’s history of partition and contrasting it with Rahul Gandhi’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra” initiative aimed at uniting India.
In response, D.K. Shivakumar, Suresh’s brother and Karnataka Congress chief, clarified that Suresh was echoing the sentiments of people who feel neglected, while reiterating his commitment to a united India. Suresh later clarified his stance on social media, describing himself as a "proud Indian and a proud Kannadiga" and emphasizing his commitment to the unity of India, while underscoring the need for fair financial treatment for Karnataka and the southern states.
Posts held
| # | From | To | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 2013 | 2014 | Member, 15th Lok Sabha |
| 02 | 2013 | 2014 | Member, Committee on Water Resources |
See also
- 15th Lok Sabha
- Politics of India
- Parliament of India
- Government of India
- Indian National Congress
- Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency
References
- ^ "Member Profile". Lok Sabha website. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- "Previous Lok Sabha members". Lok Sabha website. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- "Row over Congress MP's 'separate country' remark, brother DK Shivakumar said this". India Today. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- "Row erupts over Congress MP DK Suresh's 'separate nation' remark". Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- "DK Suresh Clarifies After Outrage Over 'Separate South Nation' Remark, Sidda Says 'You Can't Ask...'". News18. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- "South may seek nationhood if funds are not distributed equally: Karnataka Congress MP D.K. Suresh". The Hindu. 1 February 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
