'Born Congressman': After reciting RSS prayer, D K Shivakumar affirms Congress loyalty

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's recital of the RSS' prayer Namaste Sada Vatsale in the Assembly on Thursday went viral, with the Congress leader on Friday ruling out any scenario in which he would join hands with the BJP.

During a discussion on the June 4 stampede, Shivakumar admitted that he partook in the RCB's celebrations.

"I'm a member of KSCA. The KSCA secretary is a childhood friend. I'm the minister for Bengaluru. I even kissed the IPL trophy. I did my job. There was an accident. I can also speak about what BJP said on June 4...I may not have trained in your ring. I have trained in (Home Minister) G Parameshwara's ring," Shivakumar said.

When Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka reminded Shivakumar of his RSS association, the Congress leader broke into Namaste Sada Vatsale.

Shivakumar recited the RSS prayer during an Assembly session in 2019 as well.

Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress president, spent his formative years attending the Vittal Shakha (camp) of the RSS in Rajajinagar. Before Shivakumar made his Assembly poll debut in 1985, the Congress-backed NSUI had denied him a student election ticket. At the time, BJP's Ananth Kumar unsuccessfully tried to bring Shivakumar into the ABVP.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Shivakumar identified himself as a "born Congressman".

Asked about speculation over his RSS prayer chant, Shivakumar said: "There's no question of me joining hands directly or indirectly. I keep researching about BJP and JDS as a political leader. Similarly, I have researched about RSS, too.”

Shivakumar said RSS was investing "significantly" in the education sector. "The RSS is taking educational institutions into its fold in every district and every taluk. It is trying to reach students,” he said. “I may have political differences, but as a political leader, it is important to understand who my friends and foes are. I have learnt about the RSS' history for this reason," he added.