CHIKKAMAGALURU, HASSAN: Amid the election campaign schedule, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president (KPCC) D K Shivakumar visited the Sringeri Sharadamba temple and received the blessings of the seers. He was also scheduled to visit the Dharmasthala temple after Sringeri, but he cancelled the visit at the last minute and headed to Delhi to attend a party meeting.
Speaking to media persons, he said, “Kharge is our senior leader and AICC president. He has not asked anything, but only wants the Congress to come back to power in the state. There is talk that injustice was meted out to him in the past. Kharge is now the party president and both I and Siddaramaiah will go by whatever the party says. We should bring back the party to power, that is most important now”.
After cancelling his visit to Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple, he said, “I will visit the temple some other time”.
To a question on BJP’s R Ashoka contesting against him, Shivakumar said, “In politics, we have to fight whoever the opponent is. Anyone can contest from anywhere and I will welcome BJP’s decision”.
“This is the blessed Peetha for Indira Gandhi and gave strength to the hand symbol. Hence, I came here for receive the blessings of Goddess Sharadambe before I and other candidates submit our nominations. There is no politics in it. A third list is under discussion and it will be released soon”, he added.
In Hassan, D K Shivakumar bought Nandini products and distributed them to party supporters and workers in a mark of protest against Amul products entering the market.
Shivakumar purchased Nandini products worth Rs 2,500 at a Nandini booth near the Hemavati statue in Hassan. He bought over ten varieties of products, including milk, ghee, buttermilk and Mysorepak, and distributed them to party supporters and activists. He also drank flavoured milk at the Nandini booth.
Shivakumar’s move comes amid a huge debate and protests against Amul’s entry into sale of fresh milk and curd in parts of Bengaluru through quick commerce platforms.