Congress hot mike embarrassment: 'Inquiry is on; Saleem is DK's man, he has dug his own grave'

The Congress in Karnataka was left red-faced on Wednesday when two of its leaders were heard talking on open mike accusing state party chief DK Shivakumar of being a collection agent.

The video of the two leaders -- KPCC media coordinator MA Saleem and former Congress MP VS Ugrappa -- badmouthing DK Shivakumar went viral and left the party in an embarrassing position to come up with a defence.

Hours after the two leaders were heard talking about how Shivakumar was allegedly collecting 10 to 12 per cent commission from contractors, the Congress disciplinary committee suspended Saleem from the party for six years and served a show-cause notice to Ugrappa.

Asianet Newsable's Yacoob caught up with Rahman Khan, chairman of the KPCC disciplinary committee, and fired a volley of questions over the controversy. Here's what he had to say...

Political pundits say that the audio leak seemed deliberate. What is your response?

I do not think that the talks were deliberate. Several rumours are spreading post the audio leak, but it is a loose talk by not-so-popular leader Saleem. It is not a deliberate one.

The audio leak in many ways confirms the factionalism within Congress. Comparisons are being drawn between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah...

There is no comparison in that audio, as far as differences are concerned. No party is free from it (factionalism). Having no leadership crisis and absence of factionalism is too much of an expectation in a political system. However, this development will not affect the party.

It is too early for all these gimmicks (of factionalism) as the election will be held after two years. I don't think that there is a leadership crisis in Karnataka. It is only being projected as a leadership crisis.

Leaders have their own set of followers and popularity. Leaders will not play any gimmicks and destroy the chances of the party. Be it Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar, if they fight now, the good message will not go to the public. If you do not give a message about unity in the party, who will vote for the party?

Will Congress launch an internal investigation into the corruption charges leveled against DK Shivakumar?

I can't say anything on this matter and it is left to the party high command to decide on the matter. In this matter, there is not much to be investigated as Saleem is not a big leader. Saleem is DK's man. He has dug his own grave and there is no doubt about it. Nothing is there to be investigated on what was said (in the leaked audio).

Kumaraswamy has claimed that Siddaramaiah was behind the conversation, saying it was done deliberately to checkmate DK. what do you say?

I have been in politics for so many years and leaders do take advantage of such situations. The opposition is meant for taking advantage. Worse than this was two cabinet ministers fighting on the TV. Minister Somanna and Ashoka were seen attacking each other with sharp remarks.

Ugrappa reportedly said that DK has ignored leaders who helped him become KPCC President. Your response?

This is a conversation between them (Urgrappa and Saleem) because the mike was on, it has become public. This type of conversation will be happening every day. When some leaders or workers are ignored and are not attended, they would say and this is common.

Has Urgappa developed himself into such a big stature to make someone as PCC president?

Being a long-standing leader in Congress myself, I cannot claim that I made someone get a post. We may just have given some opinions. Ugrappa cannot make a Congress president or change one. It looks like the leader was boasting about himself.

Does DK Shivakumar not enjoy a popular mandate within the party as state unit chief?

Today he is the Congress (state) president. He is popular and young. Seniors should ensure he performs well and he takes everyone together. There may be factions, but it is the responsibility of the KPCC president to take everybody together. We seniors expect him to take everybody together, work unitedly and bring the party to power.

Will DK Shivakumar be asked to step aside pending an internal investigation?

The inquiry is on. The party was aware of the IT and ED cases against him before making him the KPCC president. Yediyurappa went to jail and they (BJP) made him the chief minister. What moral rights do these people have to question Congress?

The Congress party has been put in an embarrassing situation at a time when two assembly seats will witness bypolls. What do you have to say?

It is all imagination. Shivakumar's followers know that these things will not change (impact the party's fortunes). Targeting and saying bad things about Congress will not work anymore as people are aware of what is happening in political circles. So this will not affect (the party) in my view.

Will such a development not harm the Congress party's chance in the upcoming election?

In this by-election? No, not at all!

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