Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Sunday ruled out differences between him and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, a day after the Opposition BJP accused him of ignoring his deputy during the Sadhana Samavesha held in Mysuru.
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Speaking to reporters after offering ‘Bagina’ to Kabini reservoir, Siddaramaiah – flanked by Shivakumar – dismissed the allegations that he had insulted the deputy CM at the event.
“At a programme, those on stage are named. How did I insult him?” Siddaramaiah asked.
The BJP had highlighted Siddaramaiah’s outburst at a party worker ahead of his address at the event, after the worker suggested welcoming Shivakumar before he began his speech. At the event, the CM had said that only those on the stage are called out before beginning a speech and not those “who sit at home”.
Responding to a question on the same, Siddaramaiah said that Shivakumar was welcomed at the beginning of the event. “He left midway to go to Delhi. That is why I did not name him,” he said.
On the BJP’s allegations that it was an insult to Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah said, “How is it an insult? The BJP is under the illusion that they can get political mileage out of it.”
Shivakumar, too, refused to read much into the incident at the Saturday event. Speaking to reporters, he said that he had left the event early to travel to Delhi to meet his lawyers. “I had informed the CM before leaving the venue,” he said, adding that there was nothing political about his swift Delhi visit.
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On the BJP’s allegation of insult, he said that the Opposition leaders had affection for him. “Since I am a strong person, they have much affection for me,” he added.