Karnataka CM Shivakumar Denies Rahul Gandhi Pushed Him During Delhi Rally

Karnataka MLC Ravi Kumar accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘insulting’ Kannadigas by ‘pushing out’ Chief Minister

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has denied that Rahul Gandhi pushed him during a protest rally in Delhi, saying the Congress leader was concerned about the rush around them.

“Mr. Rahul Gandhi did not push me. He only showed concern by suggesting that I should board the vehicle that was following us as there was too much rush,” Mr. Shivakumar said while speaking in Delhi.

The clarification came after N. Ravi Kumar, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Legislative Council, alleged on Tuesday that Mr. Gandhi had “insulted” 7.4 crore Kannadigas by “pushing out” Mr. Shivakumar during the rally.

Ravi Kumar’s allegation

Mr. Ravi Kumar made the allegation in a statement issued in Bengaluru.

He accused Mr. Gandhi of showing “crudity and brazenness” by rudely pushing Mr. Shivakumar during the protest march.

Mr. Ravi Kumar maintained that the incident was proof of Mr. Gandhi’s “utter disrespect” for his own party Chief Minister.

He said he was making the statement despite the political and ideological differences with the Chief Minister because Mr. Shivakumar represented the collective honour, dignity and self-respect of 7.4 crore Kannadigas.

Shivakumar rejects the claim

Mr. Shivakumar rejected the description of the interaction and said Mr. Gandhi had not pushed him.

He also said, “The BJP loves me a lot, and hence, they are indulging in such a propaganda.”

Later in the day, the Chief Minister shared a picture of himself with Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra during the high tea hoasted by Mr. Gandhi in Delhi.

The contrasting accounts have placed the focus on an interaction during the protest march, with Mr. Ravi Kumar describing it as an insult to Kannadigas and Mr. Shivakumar presenting it as an expression of concern amid a rush.

Source: The Hindu