Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is the eye of a storm over his remarks on "changing the Indian Constitution" during a media conclave in Delhi, has found support from an unexpected quarter.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son and Congress MLC Dr Yathindra defended Shivakumar saying that the latter had already clarified that neither he nor the party had any intention to change the Constitution.
"Mr Shivakumar had participated in an English media event and since English is not his natural language, he failed to convey his thoughts properly. It was the Congress party that brought the Indian Constitution. Both the CM and DCM have reiterated that the Congress party is here to protect the Constitution. Shivakumar had mentioned it (amendment) with respect to creating 4% reservation for Muslims (in government civil contracts)," asserted Yathindra, also reminding the BJP that former BJP MP and minister Anantkumar Hegde had made statements about changing the Constitution in the past.
"Hegde had never bothered to clarify that the BJP has no intention to change the Constitution. But our leader (Shivakumar) has made it simply clear," said Yathindra.
'17 BJP leaders got gag orders from court fearing their own partymen'
Yathindra also defended the KPCC chief in the honey trap controversy saying no Congress leader had mentioned his name.
"Our senior legislator K N Rajanna only said there were attempts to honey trap him and other leaders. Nobody from our party has mentioned any names of persons indulging in honey-trapping. BJP leaders have no moral right to take anybody's name. Around 17 BJP leaders had secured injunction order (gag order) from the court government when BJP was in power in the state. The BJP leaders had made videos of their own party leaders," alleged Yathindra.
Stating that Shivakumar's role in this scandal was ruled out as no one has mentioned it in the House, the MLC, said "If anyone else is involved, it will be clear once a probe is conducted."
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To a question on Rajanna's reluctance to file a complaint, Yathindra said it was left to the discretion of the minister.
The former MLA from Varuna Assembly constituency, who had vacated the seat in 2023 for his father, said it was necessary to have CCTVs installed in the official residences of the ministers too as there could be elements trying to play mischief. "The CM's residence has CCTV and police bandobast and every visitor's details are recorded. I know it since I live there. But I am not aware if the ministers' residences have it. It should be installed to avoid people who come with ill intentions,' said Yathindra.
