South

“BJP Will Take Advantage”: Karnataka Congress’s Hot Mic Moment Again

November 24, 2021
Bharat Times

Congress’ program of October 31 was on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Bangalore:

Karnataka Congress took a turn for the worse last month when a live mic caught two of its leaders gossiping about alleged corruption by state unit chief DK Shivakumar.

A few days later, Mike caught Mr. Shivakumar (and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) at an event in Bengaluru on 31 October to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In a video of the exchange, which has surfaced online, Mr Siddaramaiah can be heard asking about the absence of a portrait of the country’s first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was born on the same day as Indira Gandhi’s. The murder took place, albeit a century earlier.

When told that “we never keep (Sardar Patel’s) photos”, Mr. Siddaramaiah signals concern about the BJP’s criticism. Mr. Shivakumar then instructs his employees to put up a portrait of Sardar Patel as well.

“Today is his (Sardar Patel) birth anniversary,” says Mr. Siddaramaiah in Kannada and bends to ask the Karnataka Congress chief, “no portrait of him?”

Mr. Shivakumar replies: “Sir, yes… it’s his birthday too… but we never keep photographs.”

“But what (is) happening to the BJP, they will take advantage of it,” Mr. Siddaramaiah says in English.

“Like we haven’t seen them (do)… (turns to a staff member) Do you have a picture of Vallabhai Patel? Get it…” says Mr. Shivakumar again.

“We’ll keep the photo,” he tells Mr. Siddaramaiah, to which he replies: “Yes… that would be better.”

NDTV has not been able to independently verify the video, which was released by BJP MLA and former minister MP Renukacharya, according to news agency ANI.

National general secretary CT Ravi tweeted, “It’s a shame that Das is so afraid of an Italian” – the video has drawn criticism from the BJP, with a sarcastic reference to opposition party chief Sonia Gandhi.

He tweeted along with the video, “If anyone had doubts about how much Nehru dynasty hated Sardar Patel, this video clears it. Agreed to take the picture.”

So far neither Mr. Shivakumar, Mr. Siddaramaiah nor the Congress have responded.

earlier in october Two Karnataka Congress leaders caught on camera before a presser.

Unaware that the mics were live and were being recorded, he talked about “adjustments” by Mr. Sivakumar and one of his associates, who “made around Rs 50-100 crore”.

A video of the exchange was tweeted by BJP’s Amit Malviya, who took a dig at the Congress.

Mr Shivakumar did not deny talks, but denied the allegations.

The Congress responded by expelling one leader for six years and sending a show-cause notice to the other; The latter’s leader, former MP VS Ugrappa, later offered an explanation.

ANI. with the input of

,