BENGALURU: The discord between opposition leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC president DK Shivakumar came to the fore again for the second time in 48 hours, when a video of Siddaramaiah criticising the KPCC president’s political strategies emerged.
The video has been widely shared on social media.
Siddaramaiah was talking to confidante and former MLA Ashok Pattan prior to a press briefing on Saturday, and the conversation was re corded on television microphones. He was sharing his “personal” opinion with Pat tan on possible decisions of the leadership over disbursal of assembly tickets. With a sizeable crowd of supporters of Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, sitting Pulakeshinagar legislator, reaching out to Siddaramaiah, the former CM was overheard saying: “Elections are still a year and two months away and already they are here over ticket distribution. ”
Pattan then responds that there have been several decisions taken by Shivakumar which suggest sitting MLAs may be changed.
“Okay, that is fine, but what is the use? The sitting MLA must prove that he will lose. [He] is going to spoil which we are holding on to,” remarked Siddaramaiah, before realising the mics were on and that the conversation was being recorded. Barely 24 hours later, at the KPCC headquarters on Sunday, Siddaramaiah appeared to have been ‘sidelined’ by Shivakumar when he concluded a press conference after the Martyr’s Day observance.
Again, the conversation between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar was recorded. The former CM asked: “You already completed the press conference without me?” Shivakumar responded by saying he had already committed to a 11am event with someone else and asked Siddaramaiah to address the media before the salutations. To this Siddaramaiah said: “That is ok, let it get over. ” However, the mic was thrust into Siddaramaiah’s hand who then spoke of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings.
The BJP took the opportunity to take a dig at the Congress and its leaders, for not keeping their house in order.
