No rift with Siddaramaiah, it’s a rumour: DK Shivakumar

Mysuru: Former minister D.K. Shivakumar, who continued his temple run for the second day, visiting the Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi hills in Mysuru and a few temples in Mandya district, claimed here on Friday that he had no differences with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as rumoured.

Speaking to reporters,  he said he did not anticipate any conflict with him despite reports to the contrary.  On his future role in the party,  Mr Shivakumar, who has only recently returned to the state after spending 50 days in judicial and Enforcement Directorate custody, said he was ready to handle any responsibility for the coming byelections if the party wanted him to.

“I have served the party sincerely since 1985. It is the high command which has given me positions, and I will leave it to them. I will take on any responsibility it gives me,”  he added.

The Congress leader claimed he was not afraid of the CBI investigating him. “The ED may do things its way,  but the CBI is a responsible department which acts according to the law. I am confident it will  not overstep its boundaries.  When I am clear about my affairs, I don't have to fear anyone and am ready to answer them,” he declared.

On the Congress plan to meet  President Ramnath Kovind on the alleged audio tape of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa confessing to bringing down the Kumaraswamy government , he said, “We have been invited to meet the Congress high command and we will meet the President under the leadership of Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Dinesh Gundurao when he gives us a time. Mr Yeddyurappa is a straightforward man and has confessed that it was his voice in the tape.  But he later went back on this. Let's see what happens.".

At Srirangpatna, Mr Shivakumar was given a huge welcome by Congress and JD(S) leaders.  On meeting the JD(S) leaders, he recalled that their party and the Congress had worked together and said they needed to work together in future too as they shared a common ideology of secularism. "We may have a difference of opinion, but when they express love, we cannot say no," he added.  Mr Shivakumar was later honoured with a Tipu style turban and a sword near the  tomb of the 18th century Mysuru king.