Is Meeting Rahul Gandhi a Natural Process for D.K. Shivakumar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shivakumar views meetings with party leaders as routine.
- He is the senior election observer for Assam.
- His social media posts can lead to misinterpretations.
- The relationship between state and national leaders is vital for party cohesion.
- Shivakumar emphasizes the importance of dialogue within the party.
Bengaluru, Jan 15 (NationPress) Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on Thursday that engaging with the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is a routine occurrence for him and is part of a "natural process".
His remarks came during a press conference prior to his trip to New Delhi for a gathering of Congress election observers designated for various states. Shivakumar, who also leads the state party, has been appointed as a senior election observer for Assam.
When asked if he had arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, he responded: "When I go to Delhi, all the leaders will be there. I will meet them."
In response to whether his supporters and MLAs were pleased after his encounter with Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru airport, Shivakumar remarked: "Rahul Gandhi is our party leader. Meeting our party leaders and the President, and discussing over the phone, is a natural process. We do not discuss such matters publicly."
When queried if he would relay his close aides' wishes for him to become Chief Minister to Rahul Gandhi, he stated: "I will convey your (the media’s) wishes to him."
Regarding the speculation surrounding his ambiguous social media post that 'efforts may fail but prayers won't', Shivakumar emphasized that there is no merit in interpreting his post on X in any other way.
The tweet, which followed a meeting and a private conversation with Rahul Gandhi, had sparked numerous speculations.
"I tweeted to send Sankranti greetings to the people of Karnataka, stating that even if efforts fail, prayers do not fail. Some sections of the media are interpreting the post differently. In the Cauvery Aarti matter, the court has ruled in our favor. In the Mekedatu project, directives have been issued for the Central Water Commission to resolve the technical aspects. It is in this context that I made the statement. There is no point in interpreting it differently," he maintained.