Karnataka Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said on Thursday that the option of Deputy Chief Minister and State President of Congress D.K. Shivakumar joining the BJP cannot be entirely dismissed.
Talking about the gossip sparked by Shivakumar's appreciation of Maha Kumbh Mela's organization and his appearance alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the Mahashivratri celebration organized by the Isha Foundation, Narayanaswamy said:
"The rumor of Shivakumar joining the BJP is just a rumour. But it cannot be ruled out altogether. Such things have occurred before. If he will join the BJP or not is something only Shivakumar can tell."
Internal Congress Criticism
Narayanaswamy pointed out that Shivakumar is receiving internal criticism from the Congress party for sharing a dais with Amit Shah. Still, Narayanaswamy justified Shivakumar's appearance, saying:
"Shivakumar did not visit a political conference. He has been invited by Sadhguru for an apolitical get-together. Congress leaders do not have any right to criticise him on this basis."
He went on to state that even though Shivakumar continues to be the Congress State President, Amit Shah is not BJP President, and yet Congress leaders are gunning for him.
"It has been established that Shivakumar favours Hindutva. Here, he has been side-lined in his own party," alleged Narayanaswamy.
BJP's Reaction
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra responded to the row surrounding Shivakumar's attendance of religious festivals by pointing out that the Maha Kumbh Mela does not have anything to do with any political party.
"The Maha Kumbh Mela is an ancient festival where individuals from all over the globe take part. The Isha Foundation's Mahashivratri festival was a spiritual event, not political. The internal feud within Congress is growing, and we can expect quick political twists and turns shortly," Vijayendra said.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar also joined in the criticism of Shivakumar, opining that if his actions are contrary to Congress party principles, the party should act.
"Shivakumar's attendance at the Maha Kumbh Mela and a function with Amit Shah is not a big deal. If Congress has an issue with it, let them suspend him," Shettar said.
He also charged Congress leaders, such as Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, with anti-Hindu rhetoric.
"This is a Hindu nation with a rich Hindu culture. Even communist leaders have visited Hindu temples. Many Congress leaders have gone to the Kumbh Mela in the past. Religion cannot be mixed up with politics," Shettar stated.
Congress Leaders Scolder Shivakumar
P.V. Mohan, AICC Secretary, was vehemently critical of Shivakumar's presence at the Mahashivratri event at the Isha Foundation.
"Receiving an invitation from a person like Sadhguru, who derides Rahul Gandhi and who has an RSS-backed narrative, is misleading the Congress workers. Shivakumar, as a secular party president, must adhere to the party's ideology. Conviction and not compromise are the keys to the growth of the party," Mohan stated.
Shivakumar Responds
D.K. Shivakumar stood his ground, reasserting his religious and political ideology.
"I was born Hindu and will die a Hindu. I am a born Congress leader. As a Hindu, I have respect for all religions," he said, fending off internal party criticism.
Read also| I am born Hindu and will die Hindu, Says Karnataka DCM Shivakumar
