"You are the reason for Ahmed Patel's win," Sonia tells minister DK Shivakumar

With Congress veteran Ahmed Patel winning the Rajya Sabha seat, Energy minister DK Shivakumar's efforts to save the party have finally paid off. So much so that AICC president Sonia Gandhi called up minister DK Shivakumar to thank him for helping the party in the crucial times. "You are the reason for the victory of Ahmed Patel," said Sonia Gandhi, reportedly. Even Ahmed Patel too telephoned him profusely offering thank you notes, said television reports.

Ahead of Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat, minister Shivakumar had volunteered to host 44 Gujarat Congress legislators to prevent BJP from poaching them. They were accommodated in the luxurious Eagleton Resort, off Bengaluru. During these time, Shivakumar had to face the surprise raid on him by the Income Tax officials. The IT officials first swooped on him and his brother and MP DK Suresh at the same resort where the guests from Gujarat were staying. Later, Shivakumar was brought to his residence at the upmarket Sadashivanagar, and the raid continued for over three days. The IT officials had also raided his relatives and acquaintances. While it was widely speculated that since Shivakumar allegedly turned down the BJP's invitation to join the party, the Centre gave him the rude shock in the IT raid.

But nothing could deter him for soon after the raids were concluded, minister Shivakumar rushed to the resort and called on the guests. He had even made arrangements for their departure and accompanied them till the airport before they left for Gujarat, on the eve of the polls. Now, that Congress' veteran Ahmed Patel won the seat that had become a prestigious issue, minister Shivakumar's efforts have come in for praise by the high command.  

• DK Shivakumar
• Sonia Gandhi
• Ahmed Patel
• Karnataka