Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress Speaker DK Shivakumar faced embarrassment on Wednesday when his own election campaign committee chairman MB Patil ridiculed the party’s state president’s statement that his meeting with higher education minister CN Ashwath Narayan was “protected” by the BJP leader. “It was about asking.
On Tuesday, Shivakumar had alleged that the meeting between Patil and Ashwathnarayan may have been related to the latter’s demand for “security”, indicating the minister’s involvement in the PSI scam and the Congress party’s offensive against him.
Patil is a close confidant of Shivakumar’s nemesis and opposition leader Siddaramaiah.
However, Shivakumar’s statement backfired on him, with Patil ridiculing the president of his own party and saying it was a “cheap shot”.
“The statement of our party president is not in good taste. It was a private meeting and had nothing to do with politics. It was a very small issue which has been given a political color and it is not right.
The former minister said that he has taken the allegations of his party president very seriously and will also raise it on the party platform.
“Who am I to protect someone? If anyone can give security to a minister, it is him. DK Shivakumar Or Siddaramaiah. After all, I am just the chairman of an election campaign committee,” said a sarcastic Patil.
The former Irrigation Minister went to take a jibe at Shivakumar and said that everyone knows whom he goes to and who comes to meet him.
“Should I start naming them or can I keep an eye on who is visiting them?” Patil shot Shivakumar.
Patil also found support from unlikely sources like actress and former Congress MP Divya Spandana (Ramya), who tweeted: “People from all parties meet each other, go to functions, get married in some families too- I wonder if D Kesivakumar would say such a thing about it. MB Patil who is a staunch Congressman. Shouldn’t the party contest elections as a unit?
Ramya Shivakumar’s daughter was now hinting at being married to the grandson of BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Reacting to Patil’s statement, Shivakumar came on the back foot and tried to blame the media.
“You (media) asked me a question and I said I don’t know whether the minister had met him (Patil) for security or something. Let’s not dwell further in this matter. There are more important issues to focus on,” he said.
Earlier, Ashwath Narayan also hit back at Shivakumar, saying that the KPCC president is no one to question him as to whom he goes to.
“Who is Shivakumar? Is he CM, Home Minister or DGP? I have the right to meet whomever I meet and talk to whomever I want. A person holding such a responsible post should not make such irresponsible statements. And from whom or for what do I need protection?” inquired Narayan.
On Tuesday, Shivakumar had alleged that the meeting between Patil and Ashwathnarayan may have been related to the latter’s demand for “security”, indicating the minister’s involvement in the PSI scam and the Congress party’s offensive against him.
Patil is a close confidant of Shivakumar’s nemesis and opposition leader Siddaramaiah.
However, Shivakumar’s statement backfired on him, with Patil ridiculing the president of his own party and saying it was a “cheap shot”.
“The statement of our party president is not in good taste. It was a private meeting and had nothing to do with politics. It was a very small issue which has been given a political color and it is not right.
The former minister said that he has taken the allegations of his party president very seriously and will also raise it on the party platform.
“Who am I to protect someone? If anyone can give security to a minister, it is him. DK Shivakumar Or Siddaramaiah. After all, I am just the chairman of an election campaign committee,” said a sarcastic Patil.
The former Irrigation Minister went to take a jibe at Shivakumar and said that everyone knows whom he goes to and who comes to meet him.
“Should I start naming them or can I keep an eye on who is visiting them?” Patil shot Shivakumar.
Patil also found support from unlikely sources like actress and former Congress MP Divya Spandana (Ramya), who tweeted: “People from all parties meet each other, go to functions, get married in some families too- I wonder if D Kesivakumar would say such a thing about it. MB Patil who is a staunch Congressman. Shouldn’t the party contest elections as a unit?
Ramya Shivakumar’s daughter was now hinting at being married to the grandson of BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Reacting to Patil’s statement, Shivakumar came on the back foot and tried to blame the media.
“You (media) asked me a question and I said I don’t know whether the minister had met him (Patil) for security or something. Let’s not dwell further in this matter. There are more important issues to focus on,” he said.
Earlier, Ashwath Narayan also hit back at Shivakumar, saying that the KPCC president is no one to question him as to whom he goes to.
“Who is Shivakumar? Is he CM, Home Minister or DGP? I have the right to meet whomever I meet and talk to whomever I want. A person holding such a responsible post should not make such irresponsible statements. And from whom or for what do I need protection?” inquired Narayan.