Rift Between Me and Shivakumar Is BJP’s Illusion, Says Siddaramaiah
Siddaramaiah said, “D.K. Shivakumar left the convention midway owing to prior commitment to leave for New Delhi and so his name was not taken by me” and asked “Was he present on the stage (at that time)?”
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday accused the BJP of was trying to create a rift between him and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar out of nothing. “Leaders of the BJP are hoping to cash in on the ‘rift’ which is nothing but an illusion and they will always live under the illusion.”
BJP leaders had accused the Chief Minister of ‘deliberately’ not mentioning Shivakumar during his address at a convention in Mysuru on Saturday and thereby insulting him.
Issuing a clarification, Siddaramaiah said “I did not take the name of D.K. Shivakumar since he was not present on the stage (when I started the speech). Usually, names of dignitaries are referred to when the person is present on the stage” and questioned “How does it amount to an insult?”
Siddaramaiah said, “D.K. Shivakumar left the convention midway owing to prior commitment to leave for New Delhi and so his name was not taken by me” and asked “Was he present on the stage (at that time)?”
Asked about it, Shivakumar said Siddaramaiah had clarified both on stage on Saturday and also on Sunday and said: “What is the need for me to comment on it.”
