Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on 9 May flatly denied reports that Tamil Nadu party MLAs had arrived at the Eagleton Resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, calling the claims false. Shivakumar said he had no knowledge of any such development and maintained that he himself would have been the first to inform about it had it been true.

Eagleton Resort Closed, Reports False: Shivakumar

Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru that the Eagleton Resort is currently shut for repairs, further undercutting the reports. "I don't know where they have gone. Some say they have gone to Hyderabad, while others claim they have arrived in Bengaluru. I saw such reports on television, but I am not aware of it," he said. He added that the party high command had not spoken to him on the matter, and that things would be different if it had.

"Whatever stand the party takes, I will abide by it," Shivakumar said, emphasising that all decisions had been left to the party leadership. He noted that he had followed party directions — attending campaign events and the manifesto release — without question.

On Tamil Nadu Political Developments

When specifically asked about the rapidly evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said he was not aware of the developments and that nobody had approached him on the matter. His remarks come at a time when speculation has been rife about possible political manoeuvres involving Tamil Nadu legislators.

Shivakumar on Yediyurappa Felicitation and Temple Visit

Commenting on the felicitation event for former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Shivakumar said, "Good things should happen to him. He has contributed to his party, and now the party and its leaders want to honour him. There is nothing wrong in that; it is their duty. However, we have different ideologies."

On his recent temple visit in Puducherry, he said it had been a long time since he had visited a temple to pray to Lord Shani. He also drew a parallel with Kerala, where he said political parties call all leaders and hold discussions before taking decisions — a model he described as inclusive and sound.

IPL Ticket Row and Falling Trees in Bengaluru

Responding to Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka's criticism that he was travelling extensively while neglecting the issue of falling trees in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he had already issued directions to trim branches of 480 trees flagged by authorities. "Whatever Ashoka has said, we have already taken action on it," he stated.

On the controversy over IPL tickets and the shifting of matches out of Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he had personally arranged tickets at the request of MLAs, including Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar. He accused BJP leaders and people from Gujarat of manufacturing a controversy for commercial reasons. "Are 300 tickets too many for them? In other places, stadium authorities provide more than 60 per cent of the tickets to the state government," he said.

With Tamil Nadu's political situation remaining fluid, Shivakumar's categorical denial is likely to face scrutiny in the days ahead.