DK Shivakumar: Meeting with Rajanna a courtesy call | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar Sunday denied any attempts at cajoling senior Congress functionaries, despite having met CM Siddaramaiah‘s close aide KN Rajanna.“Rajanna is an MLA of our party and a former minister. It was a courtesy call. I could not speak to him properly yesterday and hence met him today,” Shivakumar told mediapersons on the sidelines of the Pulse Polio programme.He added that Rajanna was close to him as well. “I am a Congressman. I made Rajanna the president of Apex Bank during SM Krishna’s tenure (as the CM). You can check with him,” Shivakumar said.Echoing this, Rajanna told the media that Shivakumar, as the state Congress president, was free to speak to anyone. “There is no change in my stance that Siddaramaiah should continue as CM. Ultimately, the high command matters, and even Siddaramaiah has said the same,” he said.Meanwhile, a purported letter dated Dec 20, written by All India Congress Committee member VR Sudarshan to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, sought his intervention to resolve what he described as confusion in Karnataka.“It is affecting the administration of the Karnataka govt and the image of the Congress party,” the letter stated.Commenting on the letter, Shivakumar said, “There is no confusion in the party. This is a creation of BJP and the media. BJP is trying to cover up its own internal mess.”Shivakumar said, “I am going to Delhi for a meeting on river-linking projects. I will also demand a 50% grant for Metro and other infrastructure projects in Bengaluru.” “I also have to hold discussions with the Union environment minister on Mahadayi and Yettinahole projects. We are preparing a revised DPR for Mekedatu,” he added.
