False Conspiracy that I’m Getting Closer to BJP: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has refuted reports that claimed he is getting close to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The rumour started spreading after Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh with his family, where he was spotted mingling with people from different political backgrounds. Addressing these claims, Shivakumar clarified that his visit to the Kumbh was a matter of personal faith and respect for all religions.
Shivakumar, a lifelong Congressman, has been a strong critic of the BJP and has been a key player in the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka. His visit to the Maha Kumbh, a major Hindu pilgrimage site, sparked speculation about his growing proximity to the BJP. However, Shivakumar has dismissed the claims, stating that his visit was a personal affair and not a sign of any political alliance.
“My visit to Maha Kumbh is my belief, and I respect all religions,” Shivakumar said, adding that he was a “born Congressman” and had no intention of switching allegiances. Shivakumar’s clarification has put to rest speculations that he was trying to build bridges with the BJP, which has been a dominant force in Indian politics for the past few years.
The Maha Kumbh is a major religious event that takes place every 12 years, and hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the country visit the site to take a dip in the holy Ganges River. The event is considered to be a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, and people from all walks of life, including politicians, spiritual leaders, and ordinary devotees, participate in the event.
Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh was not the first time he has attended a religious event. He has been a regular visitor to various temples and pilgrimage sites across Karnataka, where he has often been spotted participating in religious rituals and offering prayers.
Despite his clarification, the rumour about Shivakumar’s growing proximity to the BJP refuses to die down. The Congress party has also jumped into the fray, with party leaders defending Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh and rejecting claims of any political alliance with the BJP.
The BJP, on the other hand, has chosen to remain mum on the issue, with party leaders refusing to comment on Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh. However, the party’s Karnataka unit has been quick to react, with leaders like state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel saying that Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh was a “positive sign” that he was “coming closer to the BJP”.
The controversy surrounding Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh has once again highlighted the deep political divisions in Karnataka, where the Congress-JDS coalition government is facing stiff opposition from the BJP. The state is scheduled to go to polls in 2023, and the political landscape is expected to become even more polarized in the run-up to the elections.
In conclusion, DK Shivakumar’s visit to the Maha Kumbh was a personal affair and not a sign of any political alliance with the BJP. The Congress party has rejected claims of any political tie-up, and Shivakumar has clarified that he is a “born Congressman” with no intention of switching allegiances.
