New Delhi: As the campaigning for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 draws to a close, a purported video capturing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has surfaced on social media in which he can be seen slapping a Congress worker. The video of the incident was shared by the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on X. The incident took place when DK Shivakumar was campaigning for Congress candidate in Savanur town of Haveri in Karnataka.
In the 11-second clip, DK Shivakumar can be seen coming out of a car, surrounded by people, mostly Congress supporters. As the Karnataka Deputy CM comes out, a man puts his hand on his shoulder. Shivakumar immediately removes the man's hand and slaps him. According to the Karnataka BJP, the man was a Congress worker identified as Municipal Member Allauddin Maniar.
The Karnataka BJP shared the video with the caption, "DCM @DKShivakumar slaps Congress Municipal Member during campaign..! Video goes viral. Last night, DK Shivakumar campaigned in Savanur town of Haveri for Congress candidate Vinoda Asooti. Congress workers were chanting "DK DK" as DK Shivakumar arrived for campaigning. One of the workers put his hands on DK Shivakumar's shoulders when he stepped out of the car. Furious with the sudden inappropriate behavior, Shivakumar slapped the worker. The worker has been identified as Municipal member Allauddin Maniar."
ABP could not independently check the veracity of the video.
BJP's Amit Malviya Takes Dig At Congress
BJP's IT Cell Head Amit Malviya also shared the video of the incident on X and took a dig at the Congress, saying why do the workers of the grand old party work for it when their leaders slap them and humiliate them.
In a post on X, Malviya said, "Karnataka’s DCM, DK Shivakumar, slaps Congress Municipal Member Allauddin Maniar, while campaigning in Savanur town of Haveri. This is not the first time DK has assaulted a Congress worker. His crime? He happened to put his hands on DK Shivakumar's shoulder, when the latter stepped out of the car. I wonder why do Congress workers even want to work for the Congress? Their leaders slap them, humiliate them, don’t give them tickets to contest (all of them are cornered by family members)… Is it for the corruption money they make on the side? No self respect?