Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Shivakumar’s Two-Marriages Remark Sparks Karnataka Assembly Political Row
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar made a surprising comment about some MLAs having “two marriages.”
He was speaking in the Assembly about Bengaluru’s fast growth.
He appeared to mean that some lawmakers keep a home in Bengaluru while also remaining connected to their original districts.
Shivakumar said about a dozen MLAs fit this description.
He said he could name them but did not do so.
BJP leaders R Ashoka and S Suresh Kumar asked him to reveal the names.
They said the remark could make people suspicious of all legislators.
The disagreement has become a political controversy in Karnataka.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said about a dozen MLAs had “two marriages” while discussing Bengaluru’s rapid urbanisation.
He said lawmakers and others who move to Bengaluru often do not return to their districts of origin.
Shivakumar offered to name legislators from districts including Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada but did not identify them.
BJP leaders R Ashoka and S Suresh Kumar demanded that Shivakumar disclose the names.
The BJP said the comment created unhealthy curiosity and could damage the Assembly’s dignity and legislators’ reputations.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, and BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar.
- What
- A political controversy over Shivakumar’s statement that about a dozen MLAs had “two marriages.”
- When
- Shivakumar made the remark on Thursday during an Assembly debate; the controversy was reported on Friday, September 25.
- Where
- The Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Shivakumar was discussing Bengaluru’s rapid urbanisation, population growth, and the tendency of people who move there not to return to their original districts.
Shivakumar’s Context
BJP’s Criticism
Meaning of the remark
Shivakumar’s Context
Shivakumar linked the comment to MLAs and other people who move to Bengaluru, establish lives there, and do not return to their places of origin.
BJP’s Criticism
R Ashoka said the remark left a “sword hanging” over MLAs from outside Bengaluru, while S Suresh Kumar said it could encourage suspicion or ridicule.
Whether names should be disclosed
Shivakumar’s Context
Shivakumar said he could provide a list and mentioned districts such as Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada, but chose not to identify the legislators.
BJP’s Criticism
Ashoka and Suresh Kumar demanded that Shivakumar name the MLAs he said had two marriages and maintained two households.
Effect on the Assembly
Shivakumar’s Context
Shivakumar made the statement while explaining Bengaluru’s population growth and the pressure caused by rapid urbanisation.
BJP’s Criticism
Suresh Kumar said that even if the remark was made lightly, such comments from the Assembly floor did not enhance the institution’s dignity.
- Speaker
- D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Chief Minister
- Remark
- Shivakumar said about a dozen MLAs had “two marriages” and offered to provide a list.
- Assembly context
- The comment came during a debate on drought and Bengaluru’s increasing urbanisation pressures.
- Population change
- Shivakumar said the urban population had risen from 33 per cent to 47 per cent.
- Named districts
- He referred to legislators from districts including Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada but did not name them.
- BJP response
- R Ashoka and S Suresh Kumar urged Shivakumar to disclose the legislators’ names.
- Stated concern
- Suresh Kumar said the remark created unhealthy curiosity and could lead people to ridicule or view legislators with disgust.
