State Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, alleging that the BJP is actively attempting to entice leaders and legislators from his party, insinuated on Friday that he, too, has been engaged in conversations with numerous members of the saffron party, although he refrained from divulging specific names.
Shivakumar's remarks emerged in the aftermath of former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar's defection back to the BJP from the Congress, a move that occurred a day earlier. Shettar's reintegration into the BJP came after his initial departure from the party ahead of last year's Assembly elections, prompted by the BJP's refusal to field him as a candidate.
"I'm currently engaged in discussions with various (BJP) figures, several of whom are expressing interest in our direction, but I'm opting not to disclose their identities," Shivakumar informed reporters, accusing the BJP of exerting considerable efforts to attract members of the Congress.
Observing the BJP's expansive recruitment efforts, Shivakumar refrained from explicitly naming individuals. He suggested that while he possessed knowledge of ongoing interactions, he opted to maintain a restrained demeanor, contrasting with what he implied could have been a more aggressive approach. He implied that had he chosen to disclose details, it could have potentially led to significant departures from the BJP.
Addressing assertions made by certain BJP leaders regarding their purported connections with numerous Congress figures, Shivakumar countered by indicating his own ongoing interactions with such individuals. He subtly questioned the notion of these individuals abandoning him, hinting at his continued influence and outreach within the political landscape.
Reflecting on Shettar's decision to rejoin the BJP, Shivakumar underscored the unwavering resilience of the Congress, likening it to an inexhaustible ocean. Despite the occasional departures, Shivakumar maintained confidence in the party's enduring strength and ability to withstand such occurrences.
Furthermore, Shivakumar expressed confidence in the loyalty of Congress MLA Laxman Savadi, assuring that Savadi remained committed to the party's cause and would actively contribute to its objectives.
Shivakumar also criticized the JD(S) and its leader H D Kumaraswamy for aligning with the BJP, despite the latter's role in orchestrating the downfall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government through "operation Kamala." He accused the JD(S) of espousing a contradictory stance by forging ties with a party responsible for their removal from power.
Responding to queries regarding Minister K N Rajanna's alleged breaches of party discipline, Shivakumar delegated the matter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, highlighting that the party's central leadership was monitoring the situation closely.
