Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is joined by his deputy D K Shivakumar, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa and others as he offers 'bagina' at the Kabini dam in H D Kote taluk of Mysuru district on Sunday.
Credit: DH photo
Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Sunday, clarified that he had not insulted his deputy D K Shivakumar during Saturday’s ‘Saadhana Samavesha’ here.
Shivakumar too explained that he had to leave midway through the Congress convention since had to fly to Delhi on some personal work and there was nothing political about it.
They were speaking to reporters at the helipad near Kabini dam in H D Kote taluk of the district, when they came to offer ‘bagina’ to River Kapila.
“I had an appointment with an advocate in Delhi. So, I informed the CM and left. BJP leaders have lot of affection for me as I am strong. The stronger we are, the more they love us. Hence, they are commenting on this episode,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said he did not mention Shivakumar’s name in the speech as the latter had left after informing him.
“How is it an insult? BJP leaders are under the illusion that they can create misunderstanding between me and Shivakumar for political gains. But they will not succeed.”
On tax notices being issued to small businessmen over digital payments, he said, “We will discuss the matter with the union government. If there is anything we can do, we will talk to the commercial tax department and take appropriate decisions”.
When asked about a few industries being invited by Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu’s son after the government dropped land acquisition in Devanahalli, the CM said, “No matter what politics Naidu or his son resort to, industries will not leave Karnataka”.