Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has dismissed media reports suggesting he may meet high-profile leaders in the United States, including US Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama during his week-long trip. Shivakumar also shared a letter addressed to All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, detailing his plans, to further dispel the rumours.
"Regarding my upcoming visit to the United States of America, I would like to dispel the ongoing rumours- my visit is purely for personal reasons and is no way related to any political motive, nor is it due to any political invitation," the Congress leader said in a post on X.
"I request everyone to kindly refrain from indulging in any kind of conjecture," he added. In the letter to Kharge, the Karnataka Deputy CM said he will be on a private visit to Washington from September 8 to 16.
Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister, also issued a statement clarifying the motive of his visit and said, "I am travelling to the US along with my family till September 15. The media reports that I am meeting former US President Barack Obama and US Vice President Kamala Harris are incorrect. It is a personal visit."
This comes after several media reports suggested that the senior Congress leader has received a special invitation from the Democratic Party to attend an event, and he's likely to meet Kamala Harris and Barack Obama on Tuesday during his US tour. This comes at a time when Rahul Gandhi is already in the US.
Before his departure to the US, the Bengaluru development minister met officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and ordered them to fill all potholes in the city within 15 days. He also directed officials to prevent inundation in low-lying areas.
Forecasts suggest that Bengaluru might receive a good amount of rainfall in September. “Precautions should be taken to avoid water stagnation and prevent water from entering houses in some parts of the city,” he said.