Bengaluru, Nov 9 Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday denied reports of differences with his predecessor Siddaramaiah, asserting that there was neither a major nor a minor disagreement between them.
Responding to reporters’ questions about an alleged strained relationship and reports that the two leaders had not been speaking to each other, Shivakumar said certain people were attempting to create such an impression.
“He (Siddaramaiah) is our leader but some people are presenting different versions of things to all of you. Certain big people have also been making statements. I discussed various issues to clarify matters to him and apprise him of the relevant developments,” he said.
Asked about reports of a minor disagreement between the two leaders, Shivakumar said, “There is no disagreement of any kind, neither a major one nor a minor one.”
“There is no major disagreement, no major disagreement, and no minor disagreement either. Some people from the Opposition have been sitting around trying to create such an impression. I am not referring to you or the media, but certain others,” he added.
According to him, criticism and opposition were part of politics and necessary for clean politics.
“In politics, there should be critics and opponents. It is only when they are around that people like us can practise clean politics,” he said.
The CM was responding to questions about his reported one-and-a-half-hour meeting with Siddaramaiah.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of an alleged sting operation tarnishing the image of Siddaramaiah.
Police initially arrested some social media team workers of JD(S) prompting Union Minister and party second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy to take action against him instead of targeting innocent party workers.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the government was protecting the Congress leaders who were behind the sting operation.
After he raised hackles, the police questioned the Congress leaders Kripa Alva who wanted to contest assembly election on Congress ticket from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district.
Siddaramaiah and his Minister son Yathindra Siddaramaiah had blamed Congress leaders behind the smear campaign against him.
(PTI News)
