Bangalore: A video of a conversation between former MP VS Ugrappa and KPCC coordinator Salim about KPCC president DK Shivakumar has caused a stir in state politics. The incident happened while Ugrappa was on stage just before holding a media conference on Tuesday.
In the video, former Loksabha MP Ugrappa and Salim Ahmed can be heard talking about a “percentage deal” involving DK Shivakumar. Salim, who started a conversation with Ugrappa, who was sitting on the stage, said "Previously there was 6 to 8 percent. DK Shivakumar came and made it 12 percent."
Karnataka BJP has sought a clarification from Shivakumar, tweeting, "Your very own @INCKarnataka leaders have called you as a THIEF during a press conference. Are you a THIEF? Did you take 12 % BRIBE? Did you share this LOOT with your party owners? Will you please clarify?"
"In a huge embarrassment to @INCKarnataka, its leaders disclose that aides of KPCC President @DKShivakumar have collected crores of rupees. They also wonder how much their boss DKS would have collected. We wonder how much he gave to Fake Gandhis. CONgress = Collection Agent," BJP tweeted.
Saleem, in the video, while talking to Ugrappa says, "He stutters while talking. I don’t know if it’s low BP or if he’s a drunkard. That’s what we discussed, media also asked if he was drinking then but he wasn’t. Siddaramaiah’s body language is kadak (smart)."
"We all fought hard to make DK the president. But he hurt us and the party," says Ugrappa.
In a clarification issued by VS Ugrappa today, he said, "There is no groupism in Congress, as many have imagined. KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar is the leader of our party. I know him for three-four decades. Born into a farmer family, he emerged as the state's senior leader. He is a good ruler and a politician with public concern."