Bengaluru: Marking the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31. At a programe in Bengaluru The mics caught out Mr Shivakumar (and ex-Chief Minister Siddaramaiah).
In a video of the exchange that has emerged online, Mr Siddaramaiah can be heard asking about the absence of a portrait of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister, who was born on the same day Indira Gandhi was assassinated, albeit over a century earlier.
“Today it is his (Sardar Patel) birth anniversary,” Mr Siddaramaiah says in Kannada as he leans over to ask the Karnataka Congress chief, “There is no portrait of him?”
Mr Shivakumar responds: “Sir, yes… it is his birthday today also… but we never keep the photo.”
“But what happens with BJP (is) they will take advantage,” Mr Siddaramaiah says in English.
“Like we have not seen them (do it)… (turns to a staff member) Do you have a photo of Vallabhai Patel? Get it…” Mr Shivakumar then says.
“We will keep the photo,” he tells Mr Siddaramaiah, to which he responds: “Yes… it will be better.”
HW News Englis have not independently verified the video, it is according to news agency ANI, which was released by BJP MLA and former minister MP Renukacharya.
The video has predictably drawn criticism from the BJP, with National General Secretary CT Ravi tweeting: “It is a shame that slaves are so much scared of an Italian” – a snide reference to opposition party chief Sonia Gandhi.
“If anyone had doubt how much the Nehru Dynasty hated Sardar Patel, this video clears it. CONgress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar agree to place photo of Sardar Patel along with that of Indira Gandhi fearing BJP,” he tweeted along with the video.
Neither Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah nor the Congress have responded so far.
Earlier in October two Karnataka Congress leaders were caught on camera before a presser.
Unaware that the mics were live and that they were being recorded, they spoke about “adjustments” by Mr Shivakumar and an aide of his who “made around 50-100 crores”.
Mr Shivakumar did not deny the conversation but did deny the allegations.
The Congress responded by expelling one leader for six years and sending the other a show-cause notice; the latter leader, former MP VS Ugrappa later offered a clarification.
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