Shivakumar & Governor Gehlot Socialize Amidst Political Tensions In Karnataka

Amid a tense standoff between the Karnataka government and the Governor’s office over the consent for prosecution against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was seen attending an engagement party in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, was photographed enjoying the event alongside Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot. The engagement party, hosted by Minister for Urban Development Byrathi Suresh to celebrate his son Sanjay’s engagement to BJP MLA SR Vishwanath’s daughter Apoorva, featured a relaxed atmosphere with Shivakumar and Gehlot engaged in friendly conversation.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s participation in this social gathering, amidst his recent call for a “Raj Bhavan Chalo” agitation on August 31 to pressure the Governor into sanctioning prosecution in cases involving BJP leaders, has raised eyebrows.

The Congress has been critical of the Governor for approving the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). This controversy is further fueled by claims from the BJP alleging Shivakumar’s involvement in providing documents related to the MUDA case.

The juxtaposition of Shivakumar’s call for political action and his convivial interaction with Governor Gehlot at the party is likely to spark significant debate in Karnataka’s political circles.