Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president, DK Shivakumar, announced on Monday that he will seek an extension from the Delhi Police to appear before them next week in connection with the ongoing National Herald case investigation.
Seeking Time and FIR Copy
Shivakumar stated that he intends to write to the police after the current winter session of the Karnataka legislature concludes on Friday. He plans to request a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) along with the extension. The Congress leader pointed out that the notice served to him by the Delhi Police did not include a copy of the FIR, and he has only read about its contents in newspapers.
"I'm asking them for time. I will tell them I'll come next week," Shivakumar informed reporters in New Delhi. He emphasized his need for the FIR document, stating, "I need the FIR because I don't know what it says." He added that all necessary replies had already been furnished to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the past.
Change in Plans Due to Bereavement
Initially, Shivakumar, who was in the national capital, had intended to appear before the police on Monday itself. However, he was compelled to cut short his trip and return to Karnataka to attend the last rites of veteran Congress legislator, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, in Davanagere.
His visit to Delhi included participation in the Congress party's 'Vote Chori' rally on Sunday and a lunch event. He mentioned meeting senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, during his stay, which he described as routine.
Addressing Political Speculation
When questioned about meetings with AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala amidst ongoing speculation about internal dynamics within the Karnataka Congress, Shivakumar dismissed the talks. He clarified that meeting senior functionaries is a normal part of his visits to Delhi.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I meet everyone. At lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I met everyone. What's wrong?" he responded. Regarding a separate meeting planned for his next visit, he said, "Such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
Shivakumar confirmed that he and party president Mallikarjun Kharge would travel together to Karnataka to pay their final respects to the late MLA. The Delhi Police notice to the Karnataka Congress chief seeks financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald matter.
