Deputy CM Shivakumar terms BJP defamation case as ‘bogus’

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar termed the defamation suit filed by the Karnataka BJP unit against him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a ‘bogus case’.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday, Shivakumar said, “BJP has filed a false, bogus case against me, CM Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi and summons have been issued. In order to respect the court, Rahul Gandhi will attend the court today”.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bengaluru earlier in the day to appear before a special court in the city in connection with the case. He was received by Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bengaluru airport.

The BJP, in the complaint, had alleged that the advertisements in local newspapers on 40 per cent commission and ‘false campaigning’ by Congress ahead of the 2023 state Assembly elections damaged its image. The case was registered against against Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Earlier, the court granted bail to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar who appeared before it on June 1. “I appeared before the judge as instructed by the court. I got the bail. A private complaint was filed against me, KPCC president and Rahul Gandhi too. Rahul Gandhi will also appear in the court”, Siddaramaiah had said after getting bail in the case on June 1.

In the May 2023 state Assembly elections, the Congress party registered a landslide victory securing 135 seats to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP. The BJP got 66 seats and the Janata Dal -Secular got 19 seats. (ANI)