Davos 2026: After flak from Opposition, DK Shivakumar takes U-turn, to attend WEF

• DK Shivakumar to attend World Economic Forum in Davos after reversing cancellation.
• Delhi and CM Siddaramaiah approved his Davos trip.
• Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil and officials are in Davos.

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Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on January 19 said he will travel to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), reversing his earlier decision to cancel the trip amid criticism from the opposition.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar confirmed that he would be leaving for Davos on Tuesday. When asked about his travel plans, he said, “Yes, I have received permission from Delhi for my trip. Our leader Siddaramaiah has also told me to go. I am getting calls asking me to attend the Davos meeting. Friends from our Opposition parties are also advising me the same. That is why I am going. Shouldn’t we sometimes accept their advice in the interest of the state?”

BJP leaders, including state unit chief BY Vijayendra, had targeted Shivakumar’s earlier decision to cancel his Davos visit, alleging that the Congress government was placing internal politics above governance and the state’s development. The party also cited a protocol lapse during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Bengaluru, when both CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar skipped the reception to receive Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru. BJP leader and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said the episode reflected misplaced priorities and linked it to Shivakumar’s decision to cancel his WEF visit.

While Shivakumar was initially slated to lead the delegation, on January 17 he announced that he was cancelling his official tour to Davos-where the World Economic Forum was scheduled to be held from January 18-citing official engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

At the time, an official statement said the deputy CM had a series of meetings with AICC functionaries related to the Assam assembly elections and was spearheading a campaign against the Union government over MNREGA. It also said a five-day special session of the Karnataka Assembly was scheduled to begin from January 22.

While Siddaramaiah is engaged in preparations for the state budget, Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil and senior government officials are already in Davos. The 56th edition of the World Economic Forum annual meeting is being held in Davos from January 19 to 23 under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, bringing together global leaders from government, business, civil society and academia.