An alleged conversation on a video clip between two Karnataka Congress leaders about state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar has created ripples. In the video, Congress state unit media coordinator M.A. Saleem and former Lok Sabha MP V.S. Ugrappa, before a press conference possibly not aware that the mikes and cameras were on, can be seen speaking about D.K. Shivakumar. Saleem can be heard in the video making allegations against the Congress state chief and another person.
The two leaders can also be heard discussing Shivakumar’s personality and comparing him with the Karnataka Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and other issues related to his habits and the way he talks. The Karnataka Congress has taken action against the two leaders with M.A. Saleem being suspended from the post of media coordinator and a showcase notice being issued to V.S. Ugrappa.
BJP National General Secretary C.T. Ravi slammed the Congress leaders, including D.K. Shivakumar, and said that it is the reality of the Congress. After this, while addressing the press meet D.K. Shivakumar said that he has nothing to do with that chat between the two individuals and added that this has embarrassed the party and action will be taken by the disciplinary committee which is headed by the former Union Minister Rahman Khan.
Taking strong exception to the clipping that went viral, Shivakumar said he cannot deny that the conversation did not take place, but rejected the content of the conversation. Acting swiftly, the party expelled Saleem from the party for six years and served a show-cause notice to Ugrappa, who is Congress spokesperson, seeking an explanation in three days.
Meanwhile, Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa on Wednesday said that the allegations against Karnataka party chief D.K. Shivakumar were made by the BJP and media coordinator M.A. Saleem was merely communicating it to him.
“These allegations against D.K. Shivakumar are not mine or Saleem’s. They were actually made by a BJP leader against Shivakumar, in front of Saleem. All Saleem did was communicate these allegations to me. While he was whispering these allegations to me, they were captured by the media. D.K. Shivakumar is a self-made man and a very good administrator,” Ugrappa said.
The developments come well ahead of the crucial bypolls to Sindagi and Hanagal assembly segments on 30 October. Also, it has come at a time when the party has geared up for the Assembly elections, which is one-and-a-half years away. The party had also seen in the past the show of strength between the factions of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. Ugrappa and Saleem are considered as Siddaramaiah’s close aides.