Mysore, Aug 18, 2013: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G parameshwara on Sunday denied that Kanakapura MLA D K Shivakumar was a tainted person.
Addressing reporters, Parameshwara, while replying to queries, said, “Had Shivakumar been a tainted man, he would not have won the elections and even the competent authorities would have stopped him from contesting the polls”. However, it was only due to some other reasons, he was denied a cabinet berth. When media sought to know the reasons, Parameshwara said it was an internal matter of the party.
Parameshwara hinted at Shivakumar getting “suitable recognition” in the coming days with the party chief Sonia Gandhi making an announcement in this regard. Noting that Shivakumar seeking the support of KJP chief B S Yeddyurappa for his brother D K Suresh, contesting the bypoll to the Lok Sabha from Bangalore Rural constituency on a Congress ticket, was his personal interest, Parameshwara denied that the party had anything to do with it. Instead, the party has officially sought the support of the Left parties — CPI and CPM — and the leaders of those parties are yet to reply.
Parameshwara asserted that victory was already in the pocket of the party in both the Lok Sabha and Council byelections.
On former DG&IGP Shankar Bidari’s early exit from the party to head the State unit of the Samajwadi Party, Parameshwara said the former IPS officer should have waited for some more time. It was also due to Bidari that the party could put up a better performance in North Karnataka, Parameshwara said.
When asked about he occupying the deputy chief minister’s post, Parameshwara passed the buck on the high-command, saying it’s the prerogative of the AICC only to make such announcements.
Parameshwara later held a meeting at a hotel in the city, before leaving for Ramanagar, which is part of Bangalore Rural, on a campaign tour.
