No message from Rahul Gandhi as reported in media: DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday (January 14) clarified that there is no message from Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi as being reported in the media, and that the latter has only asked the state government to continue the good work.

Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, played down speculation regarding his social media post which read "efforts may fail, but prayers won't", linking it with his brief conversation with Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday evening (January 13).

Media speculation

Rahul Gandhi's brief conversation with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy and a claimant for the CM's chair, DK Shivakumar, on Tuesday evening has sparked off speculation, amid the ongoing power tussle between the two.

Also Read: Power tussle: Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar may be called to Delhi for talks

"I'm the state Congress President, he (Rahul Gandhi) is the leader of opposition (in Lok Sabha), he was also earlier the Congress President. Can our meeting with him, discussions with him, giving respect to him and receiving him as per protocol - be discussed in public? You (media) unnecessarily quoting someone off the record are creating confusion and are destroying the respect your TV channels have," Shivakumar said in response to a question.

What was discussed at airport

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he insisted, "There is no message, we met him (Rahul Gandhi). He asked us to continue working in a good way, we will work in a good way. We have informed him about programmes we have planned regarding MGNREGA (Save MGNREGA campaign) in the state. We have also discussed BJP's politics in the state."

Asked whether anything was discussed with Rahul Gandhi that cannot be shared on record with the media, the KPCC chief said, "There is no such thing with me, always it is on-record with me."

Also Read: Siddaramaiah denies power struggle over chief minister chair

The short talk between the leaders took place on the tarmac on Tuesday, as Rahul Gandhi landed at the Mandakalli Airport for transit, on his way back to New Delhi from Gudalur in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, where he attended an event.

The former AICC president had brief conversations with Siddaramaiaah and Shivakumar both separately and together.

About his social media post

Asked about his social media post stating "efforts may fail, but prayers won't", the Deputy CM said, it is not something new, and that he has made this statement in the past too.

"Recently, I had been to Udyami Vokkaliga-FC Expo 2025 (an entrepreneurial extravaganza dedicated to fostering the growth and success of Vokkaliga enterprises), there I had told them this, while sharing my experience, and the same has been tweeted," he clarified.

Also Read: CM Siddaramaiah confident of completing full term, Shivakumar says ‘good luck’

Shivakumar said that he will be going to New Delhi on January 16.

According to party sources, Shivakumar will be in the national capital to take part in a preparatory meeting in connection with the Assembly elections in Assam, for which he has been appointed as a senior observer by the Congress.

(With agency inputs)