The conversation between former Congress MP VS Ugrappa and media coordinator Salim went unheard
Bangalore:
A video of two Karnataka Congress leaders discussing alleged corruption by state unit chief DK Shivakumar and his associates was tweeted by BJP’s Amit Malviya on Wednesday.
Two former MPs V.S. Ugrappa and the party’s media coordinator Salim were caught on camera whispering to each other (unknowingly their conversation was being recorded) shortly before addressing a press conference yesterday; “Adjustments (from six-eight per cent to 12 per cent)” were referenced by Mr. Shivakumar and one of his colleagues “earned around 50-100 crores”.
In their exchange both also referred to Mr. Shivakumar as “Drunkar”.
“Former Congress MP VS Ugraappa and KPCC media coordinator Salim discuss how party president DK Shivakumar takes bribe…and one of his close friends has made between 50-100 crores…they are also discussing this. How he stammers while talking and as if it is his drunkenness. Interesting,” wrote Amit Malviya.
Former Congress MP VS Ugraappa and KPCC media coordinator Salim discuss how party president DK Shivakumar takes bribes and one of his close friends has earned between 50-100 crores in collections. They are also discussing how he stammers while talking and as if he is intoxicated.
Interesting. pic.twitter.com/13rDXIRJOE
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) 13 October 2021
NDTV could not independently verify the video.
Mr Shivakumar has said that he “does not want to comment on the matter (but) the disciplinary committee will take strict action”.
The Congress, however, clarified in Mr. Ugrappa’s reply that his colleagues were telling him about the allegations (against Mr. Shivakumar) being leveled by the BJP.
“I had come yesterday to address a press conference… Our media coordinator, Salim whispered (to me) that some people were saying that DK Shivakumar’s people were taking money… this is an allegation BJP is making, and He was just telling me this,” Mr. Ugraappa said today.
He said, “After the press conference I spoke to Salim… still you (media) can talk to him… told me, ‘If you question the media, it is better that you have information. … that’s why I told you’.
However, the Karnataka unit of Congress expelled Salim from the party for six years.
The two-minute long video begins with Salim (in a green shirt) whispering to Mr. Ugrappa.
“It was six-eight per cent (but) after DK (Shivakumar) came he made it to 12 per cent. All these are some adjustments by DK… He is a scam… His associate made around 50-100 crores. Earn. Imagine how much DK must have earned… He is just a collector,” Salim can be heard saying.
To this Ugrappa is seen replying: “You don’t know… We were all adamant on making him (the party’s state unit) president. But he is not moving forward…”
DK Shivakumar was made the Congress’s Karnataka unit chief in March last year (File)
The two then seem to be discussing Mr. Shivakumar’s speech.
“Whenever DK talks, he stammers a lot, just like an alcoholic. Does he drink?” Salim asks Mr. Ugrappa, to which the latter replies: “That’s what he was saying”.
Salim goes on to say, “The media personnel were asking if he (Mr. Shivakumar) was drunk… that’s how he talks.”
The BJP along with former spokesperson S Prakash demanded Shivakumar’s resignation and demanded a formal inquiry into the corruption allegations.
“The corruption of DK Shivakumar… has been completely exposed… Both the leaders (Mr. Ugrappa and Mr. Salim) are strong supporters of (former Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah. This is seen as a conspiracy by Siddaramaiah supporters. Two have been taken to new heights… DK Shivakumar should resign and there should be an inquiry,” Mr Prakash said in a video of his own.
DK Shivakumar was made Karnataka Congress president in March last year; The high-profile trouble-shooter replaced Dinesh Gundu Rao, who resigned following the party’s dismal performance in the by-elections, in which 11 former Congress and JD(S) rebel MLAs (now with the BJP) were re-elected to those seats. who resigned.
.