'Nothing wrong in conveying emotions': Shivakumar defends Kharge's 'overlooked for CM' remark; but cautions against public expression

NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday defended Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's recent comments on being "overlooked" for the Karnataka chief minister's post in 1999, saying there was "nothing wrong" in a senior leader expressing his emotions.

He, however, cautioned that one should not express his/her sentiments in public.


"What is wrong if Mallikarjun Kharge expresses his feelings? He is a senior leader who has worked tirelessly for the Congress. He only conveyed his emotions. There is absolutely nothing wrong in that," Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru, according to news agency PTI.

"One must express his/her feelings, but not in public," the Congress leader, who heads the party's Karnataka unit, added.

Shivakumar’s remarks came amid growing buzz in political circles triggered by Kharge's reflection, as well as recent statements from Congress leaders like Jagalur MLA B Devendrappa and social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, who said Kharge had "all the qualities" to occupy any constitutional post, and that the party would "take a call when the time comes."

Meanwhile, Kharge's remarks, made on Sunday, have sparked a fresh debate within the grand old party on leadership and the long-standing demand for a Dalit chief minister in the southern state.

Recalling his role in the 1999 assembly elections, Kharge said, "I tried to bring the party to power. We formed the government and SM Krishna became the chief minister. He had come as Karnataka Congress president only four months ahead of the polls...all my service was washed down the river. I feel that – I toiled for five years, but the person who came four months ago was made the CM."

He added, "What I'm trying to say is, we face difficulty, but we must continue to work without greediness in mind. If you are greedy, you won't get anything. Also you won't be able to do what's in your mind..... passing through all these things, from being a block president, I have now become Congress president today. I did not go behind the posts."