DK Shivakumar defends Siddarmaiah’s dinner meet, says no politics behind it
DK Shivakumar defends Siddarmaiah’s dinner meet, says no politics behind it DK Shivakumar defends Siddarmaiah’s dinner meet, says no politics behind it
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed speculation over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent dinner meet, emphasising it was a routine political gathering. Responding to media queries, Shivakumar urged against politicising such events.
“Dinner meets are common in politics. I also organise them frequently. There’s no need to read too much into this,” he said, addressing reporters. Shivakumar clarified his recent absence, stating it was due to a family trip abroad after several years.
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The dinner meet, held on January 2 at the residence of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, a close associate of Siddaramaiah, was part of a series of similar gatherings organised by a group of ministers, primarily from backward communities.
Siddaramaiah also weighed in on the matter, asserting that there was no political motive behind hosting the dinner at Jarkiholi’s residence. Speaking to the media, he added, “There is no politics involved in this, the media is unnecessarily giving it a political colour.”
On questions regarding a potential cabinet reshuffle and changes in the KPCC presidency raised by Minister HK Patil and others, Shivakumar said, “There have been no discussions on this. Such matters are the Chief Minister’s prerogative.”
When asked about the detection of the HMV virus in an 8-month-old baby in Bengaluru, DK Shivakumar reassured the public. “Our Health Minister is on it. There’s no cause for alarm, the government is vigilant,” he added.
Shivakumar also noted that several ministers had been traveling abroad and downplayed the controversy surrounding their absence at the Chief Minister’s dinner meet.