DK Shivakumar Urges Karnataka Firms to Give Paid Leave to Bihar Workers for Voting

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has appealed to employers across the state to grant three days of paid leave to migrant workers from Bihar so they can travel home and vote in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

The move, Shivakumar said, is aimed at helping workers exercise their democratic right to vote while maintaining fair labor practices across industries employing migrant laborers.

Official Request to Employers

In an official appeal dated November 3, 2025, DK Shivakumar urged companies, business owners, contractors, hotels, builders, and shopkeepers in Karnataka to support workers who wish to return home for voting.

“I request all companies and business establishments to provide at least three days of paid leave to voters from Bihar to facilitate their participation in the elections,” Shivakumar said in his statement.

He added that cooperation from the business community would strengthen democratic participation and reflect Karnataka’s inclusive work culture.

The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, and the appeal is expected to affect thousands of migrant workers residing in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, and other cities across the state.

Bihar Workers in Karnataka

Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru’s construction, hospitality, and logistics sectors, employs a large number of migrant laborers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
Many of these workers face challenges in taking leave during election periods due to the informal nature of employment or fear of wage loss.

Shivakumar’s request is seen as both a political and humanitarian gesture, aiming to ensure these workers are not disenfranchised due to employment constraints.

Political Context and Congress Appeal

Earlier, DK Shivakumar had appealed directly to Bihari voters living in Bengaluru, urging them to support the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar’s state elections.
He encouraged them to help make Tejashwi Yadav the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister, framing it as part of Congress’s larger mission to expand its governance model beyond Karnataka.

“Biharis are hardworking, honest, and deeply rooted in values of community and growth. Congress stands with them in building a better future,” Shivakumar said.

He also promised that if the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan comes to power in Bihar, the state would see the implementation of welfare and guarantee schemes similar to those that transformed Karnataka’s social landscape — including Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, and Shakti.

A Broader Push for Voter Participation

Shivakumar’s statement comes amid growing calls for employers across India to facilitate worker participation in elections, especially for inter-state migrants who often struggle to return home due to travel costs and job commitments.

Analysts view this as a strategic move to boost voter turnout among labor communities and enhance the Congress’s image as a party focused on worker welfare and democratic inclusion.

Conclusion

The Deputy Chief Minister’s appeal blends civic responsibility with political outreach, positioning Karnataka’s Congress government as a model of inclusive governance.
If widely adopted, this policy could empower thousands of Bihari workers to participate in the electoral process, reinforcing the importance of every vote in shaping India’s democracy.