Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday termed as rumours the reports suggesting that he is getting close to the BJP, saying that there are no such developments.<\/p>\n
When asked about the Maha Kumbh Mela, however, Mr Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, deviated from his party’s stand to praise the organisation of the Maha Kumbh.<\/p>\n
Addressing a press conference at his residence here, Mr Shivakumar stated: “I am making it very clear. I could see in media and social media, some of my friends are calling after seeing reports that Shivakumar is getting closer to the BJP. By birth, I am a Congressman, my stand is I am a Hindu, and I believe in every culture of society. Besides my personal belief, the Congress ideology is to take everyone together.”<\/p>\n
“People are planting stories. Sadhguru of the Isha Foundation came to my residence and invited me to Shivratri. He is from Mysuru and I admire him for his knowledge. Social media is analysing that I am getting close to the BJP. I have not met Union Home Minister Amit Shah yet,” he added.<\/p>\n
Mr Shivakumar and Amit Shah are slated to attend Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore along with scores of national and state ministers.<\/p>\n
“This is what Mahatma Gandhi, (Pandit Jawaharlal) Nehru, and Indira Gandhi did. I have seen Sonia Gandhi conducting the Ugadi festival. I once went there to meet her 25 years back. In Kashmir and Karnataka, on the same day, the Ugadi festival is celebrated. She (Sonia Gandhi) is more of a Hindu, and has adopted Indian culture than all of us. We are led by such a family,” Mr Shivakumar stated.<\/p>\n
Asked about Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge’s statement on the Maha Kumbh Mela, Shivakumar stated that Mallikarjuna – the first name of the party chief – means Lord Shiva.<\/p>\n
“I am a Hindu. I am born as a Hindu and I will die as a Hindu. But, I love and respect all religions. When I was in jail, I learnt about Sikhism. I got taught inside the prison about Sikhism,” he said.<\/p>\n
On his visit to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Mr Shivakumar said: “My experience was very good. I appreciate the organisation which has done it and it’s not a small job. Whatever it may be, handling such a huge number of people is not easy. There might be a few glitches, there might have been problems in the trains. I don’t like to find faults, but it was satisfactory.”<\/p>\n
Mr Shivakumar also maintained that the Congress “is a great party with a big history”.<\/p>\n
“The philosophy and culture of the Congress is different. Individuals may differ and some are in a hurry, nothing will happen. All party stands united, hundreds will come and go,” he said.<\/p>\n
To a question on the issue of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Mr Shivakumar said that “he is lovable and a great asset of the Congress”. “He is demanding to utilise his services more and nothing more,” he said.<\/p>\n
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)<\/i><\/p>\n
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