Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, whose private chat with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had sparked speculation, said on Wednesday that he would not publicly discuss conversations held with party leaders.
Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said, "I am the KPCC President, and Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Is it appropriate to publicly discuss a protocol meeting? No messages were conveyed or received. Our leaders have told us to continue working as we are. I informed them about the NREGA programmes and discussed state BJP politics."
Asked about his cryptic social media post stating, "Efforts may fail, but prayers never do," Shivakumar explained that it reflected his experiences shared at a programme organised by Vokkaliga industrialists.
Videos of Shivakumar and Rahul Gandhi holding a private discussion at Mysuru's Mandakalli Airport had gone viral, fuelling rumours of a possible leadership change in Karnataka. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier stated that the high command would call both leaders whenever necessary.
Senior Congress MLA and Chief Whip Ashok Pattan confirmed that Rahul Gandhi has asked CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar to visit Delhi to resolve leadership confusion. Speaking in Bengaluru, he said, "Yesterday, no discussion took place with Rahul Gandhi. He has invited both leaders to Delhi and assured them that everything will be set right. All confusion will be resolved there, possibly after the Sankranti festival. Both leaders will go to Delhi, and matters including a Cabinet reshuffle will be discussed."
Sources close to Shivakumar added that Rahul Gandhi has assured him not to worry and that he would be called to Delhi soon. Encouraged by this, Shivakumar shared his social media post, further fueling speculation. The high-level meeting is likely to take place towards the end of this month.
It may be recalled that CM Siddaramaiah and other senior state Congress leaders had accompanied Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru Airport on Tuesday as he departed for Delhi.
(With inputs from IANS)
