Amid Rift Buzz, Siddaramaiah Skips Naming DK Shivakumar At Mysuru Event; Clarifies After BJP Calls It ‘Insult’
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah sparked rift rumors by omitting Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's name at a Congress event in Mysuru. Both leaders dismissed the issue, citing protocol and urgent work.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday skipped naming Deputy CM DK Shivakumar during a Congres event in Mysuru. The omission became apparent when a party leader prompted the CM to mention Shivakumar in his speech, which irked him. This incident renewed speculation about a potential rift between the two leaders. However, just a day after a controversy broke out over the incident, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were seen performing a ritual together to showcase unity as murmus of internal discord grew louder.
During the 'Sadhana Samavesha,' a party event organised in Mysuru on July 19, Shivakumar was addressing the gathering and acknowledging dignitaries on the dais when he omitted Shivakumar's name. Although the Deputy CM came for the event, he left the venue earlier to travel to Delhi.
When a Congress leader reminded Siddaramaiah to name his deputy in his address, the CM was irked and responded that "protocol required acknowledging only those present on the dais."
"DK Shivakumar is not here, right? Please go sit down. What kind of lawyer are you?" he told the Congress leader. "DK Shivakumar has gone back to Bengaluru. You have to mention the names of people on the dais, not those who have left. That's the protocol to invite those who are here, not those seated at home, you advocates should understand that," the Chief Minister added. The video of the incident also surfaced on social media.
BJP Targets Siddaramaiah For Skipping Shivakumar's Name, Calls It 'Insult'
Siddaramaiah's reaction drew criticism and sparked speculation as it came against the backdrop of a cold war within the Karnataka government over a leadership shift, with claims that Shivakumar may replace Siddaramaiah.
The BJP also seized the opportunity to take a dig at the Congress government in the state, calling the omission of name an "insult" to Shivakumar and hinting at a "rift within the Congress leadership".
However, Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP's reaction as "political mischief". "The BJP is trying to find pebbles in the curd—making an issue out of a non-issue," he claimed.
Clarifying the reason why he did not take Shivakumar's name, Siddaramaiah said: "Shivakumar was present earlier. He had informed us that he was leaving for Delhi and even said so publicly. That’s why I didn’t mention his name."
"How is it an insult if someone who has already left the venue is not named? The BJP is deluded in thinking it can create a rift between us. They are dreaming of political mileage. They will remain in that illusion forever," he added.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar also played down the episode, saying, "The BJP leaders seem to have too much love for me."
"I had informed the chief minister and others that I had urgent work in Delhi. I had an appointment with a lawyer and flew there immediately after my speech. I returned the same night. There was no politics in my Delhi visit," Shivakumar clarified.
A day after the incident, Siddaramaiah and his Deputy Shivakumar on Sunday offered 'baagina' (a traditional ritual offering) to the Kabini River, a tributary of the Cauvery, which is currently flowing at full capacity, in a show of unity amid the rift buzz.
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