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Karnataka Congress media coordinator expelled over video badmouthing DK Shivakumar


Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 13, 2021: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee media coordinator MA Salim has been expelled from the party for six years after a video surfaced in which he allegedly badmouths party president DK Shivakumar.

 

Ugrappa Salim


In the leaked video, which also features former MP VS Ugrappa, Salim can be heard talking about a “scandal” involving DK Shivakumar, that allegedly has to do with him and his aides accepting bribes.

"It was six to eight per cent before then it became 10 to 12 per cent. It is all DK adjustment. Mulgund (aide of DK) has made Rs 50-100 crore. Imagine if Mulgund has this, then how much DK has," says Salim in the clip.

The matter was sent to the Karnataka Congress disciplinary committee, which decided to expel Salim from the party. A show cause notice has been sent to Ugrappa.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Ugrappa had clarified that in the video, Salim was speaking of the BJP’s statements on DK Shivakumar, and not his own personal opinion of the senior leader. Ugrappa claimed that he had told Salim to not talk, but the latter had continued.Ugrappa also denied the corruption allegations against DK Shivakumar and asserted, "DK Shivakumar is working for the people. Congress is far from ‘commission’ or corruption and we’re trying to build a corruption-free state.”In the leaked video, VS Ugrappa and Saleem Ahmed also discuss how DK Shivakumar has hurt the interests of the party and wonder if he gets drunk because of his so-called stutter. They also compare him to senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah.