SALAR NEWS

Shivakumar’s visit to Sadhguru's event divides Congress

Defending his visit, DKS had said that he was born Hindu and will die Hindu

PTI

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DK Shivakumar at Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Yoga Centre.(X/DK Shivakumar)

Bengaluru, 1 March

The controversy over Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s visit to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Yoga Centre in Tamil Nadu for Mahashivaratri celebrations has refused to die down with leaders in the state Congress unit sharply divided over the issue.

Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna questioned the justification behind Shivakumar sharing the stage with those who have been critical of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

“Sadhguru had himself said he does not know Rahul Gandhi. Isn’t it? He (Shivakumar) knows better than me what people speak about our leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. Let him answer how justified it is to share stage with such people,” Rajanna told media in Hassan.

However, former MP DK Suresh backed his brother, saying Shivakumar has always kept the party informed before attending any event.

“Whenever Shivakumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi he informed the party high command. He had even informed the high command about attending Isha Foundation’s Maha Shivaratri event,” Suresh told reporters here.

Sadhguru had invited Shivakumar personally to attend the event in Coimbatore, which he accepted and attended, he explained.

Shivakumar, who is also the Congress state president, attended the grand function in Coimbatore on Wednesday, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present.

Defending his visit, he had emphasised his deep faith, saying, "I was born Hindu and will die Hindu".

State Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said the party high command should take note of the issue, which has escalated beyond Karnataka and now become a matter of national concern.

Minister MB Patil too defended his visit to Coimbatore, asserting that he did not violate the party policy.

“It is as per the party policy only. Isn’t Shivakumar a Hindu? What’s there to attend Shivaratri celebrations? Does it violate attending Shivaratri event? Didn’t I go to Shiva temple?” Patil asked while speaking to reporters in Vijayapura.

The Minister stressed that Shivakumar is a diehard Congress leader and termed the speculations about his visit to Coimbatore as "media creation".

Addressing concerns over sharing the dais with Amit Shah, he asked, “What’s wrong in that? Didn’t we Congress leaders sit with them (BJP leaders) together?” PTI