Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar has clarified that his meeting KLE Society chairman Prabhakar Kore on Monday was not political.
He told reporters that it was a courtesy visit. “There was no politics in it. I did not invite him to join the Congress and he did not say that he was joining it,” Mr. Shivakumar said.
Dr. Kore also denied that he had political ambitions.
“Mr. Shivakumar and I have been friends for over 40 years. He called me the other day saying he wants to have North Karnataka jowar meals at my house. I said that he was welcome. He came along with friends. We had authentic North Karnataka meals with special dishes made for Sankranti,” he said.
“I did not discuss any politics with him,” he added.
To a query, he said that he retired from active politics following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion to party leaders to retire at the age of 75.
“I do not need a ‘second marriage’ at this age. I am happy here in the BJP. They made me a Rajya Sabha member twice. What more can I ask for. The KLE Society has leaders from all parties. The society president is a Congress leader. There are other party leaders also. All politics is outside the society gates,” he said.
