We did not hijack JDS MLAs, says KPCC Prez Shivakumar

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Asserting that the Congress party ‘’did not hijack anyone as it was not required,’’ KPCC president DK Shivakumar said all 69 MLAs of the party voted for their candidates in the Rajya Sabha polls and this was satisfactory enough.

Speaking to reporters after the voting in the Legislative Assembly here on Friday, Shivakumar said as many as six JD(S) MLAs were in touch with him and ready to support the party. But he did not want this to happen and embarass other parties. “We issued a whip to our 69 MLAs and all of them voted for our candidates. I have seen it with my own eyes and that is enough”.

Asked about former minister and JD(S) MLA H.D. Revanna showing the ballot paper to him to which ruling BJP poll agent C.T. Ravi has reacted demanding rejection of the vote, Shivakumar said as a poll agent of a political party he did his duty. “I am not supposed to talk about it”, he retorted.

The Kanakapura MLA said he was not aware of Kolar MLA Srinivas Gowda voting for the Congress Party as he did not show the ballot paper to him. The MLA is a close friend and had participated in the Congress dharna inside the Assembly. He had helped the Congress during the local body polls too. ”Srinivasa Gowda came to my home last night and we both spoke of many things but not about the Rajya Sabha polls. He has voted for my party’s candidate as per his conscience,” he added.