evidence: DK Shivakumar: The master strategist behind Congress’s revival [...] For five days, DK Shivakumar held his ground, refusing to back down. In front of an opponent with considerable heft and a pan-Karnataka appeal, he argued his case passionately, both in Bengaluru and Delhi. On Thursday, he did give in, acceding to the idea that he would not be the state’s next chief minister but the only deputy to Siddaramaiah. This could well mean more battles ahead, both with the BJP in 2024, and for his own space the Karnataka Congress, of which he will continue to be president. But if the 40-year-long political career of DK Shivakumar -- as troubleshooter, businessman, strongman, loyalist -- is anything to go by, he will be up for the fight, and for the next job at hand. [...] Shivakumar made many friends, has always had one lodestar: Sonia Gandhi. In 2004, when Sonia Gandhi declined the chance to be Prime Minister, he led a protest outside her home in Delhi, beseeching her to reconsider. In his office in Bengaluru is a photograph of him and Sonia Gandhi -- one that referred to repeatedly this past week. "This is from the chintan shivir in Udaipur. She told me I had to deliver Karnataka, and I have done it," he said.