‘Was in Delhi to …’: Siddaramaiah denies Rahul snub claim; accuses BJP of denying funds | India News
NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief ministerSiddaramaiah on Saturday dismissed BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya’s allegation that he was “humiliated” by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to Delhi.Siddaramiah in a post on X clarified that the “primary work in Delhi was to meet defence minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the Air Show during Dasara in Mysuru.”Responding to claims that Rahul Gandhi had avoided meeting him, Siddaramaiah defended his party and the Congress MP, saying “Rahul Gandhi has immense affection for the people of Karnataka.”“The Gandhi Family, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, remain deeply indebted to the love showered by the people of Karnataka, and our AICC President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge is a proud Kannadiga,” he added.Amit Malviya, in a post on X, claimed that Siddaramaiah was “humiliated in Delhi” after being denied a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. “This isn’t the first time a Gandhi has insulted a senior leader from Karnataka. History remembers how Rajiv Gandhi unceremoniously sacked an ailing Veerendra Patil, triggering the Congress’s downfall in the state.” he said.Malviya further alleged that the Congress has consistently treated Kannadigas with “disdain.” Responding to the remarks, Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of neglecting Karnataka’s needs by withholding crucial funds. “For Modi, Karnataka exists only during elections.”He also took a swipe at the Prime Minister and BJP MPs from the state, saying, “Even when Karnataka suffered devastating floods, the Prime Minister @narendramodi did not utter a word. @BJP4Karnataka MPs do not have the spine to stand up to Narendra Modi for the rights of Kannadigas.”On Friday, Siddaramaiah on Friday dismissed speculation about a leadership change, stating that the matter was never discussed with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit.“How many times do I have to tell you? It (speculation around the Karnataka CM post) was not discussed at all. This issue was not brought up with the high command,” he said.
