New Delhi / Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday sought to downplay political speculation surrounding his recent visit to Delhi, clarifying that his meetings with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi were purely courtesy and personal interactions, not linked to any political crisis or negotiation.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in the national capital, Shivakumar confirmed that he had met the Congress high command but firmly rejected suggestions of any special agenda behind the visit.
“Yes, I met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Whenever I go to Delhi and they see me, they meet me, enquire about my well-being. These are all cordial, routine meetings. There is nothing personal or political to disclose,” Shivakumar said.

When asked whether the high command had called him for discussions or offered any assurances regarding issues in Karnataka politics, the Deputy CM said there was no issue at all, and questioned the need to create speculation.
“There is no problem in the first place. Why are you trying to create one? I don’t need to disclose internal discussions, and there is nothing that requires clarification,” he remarked.
Responding to repeated questions on whether the meeting held special significance as it came after a long gap, Shivakumar said such interpretations were baseless, adding that he had last met Sonia Gandhi ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
He also brushed aside queries suggesting that the visit was akin to seeking blessings or divine assurance. “You keep saying I go for darshan every time. I go from within, that’s all,” he said, declining to elaborate further.
Shivakumar maintained that the Congress leadership remains united and focused on governance and organisation, and that routine interactions with senior leaders should not be misread as signals of internal developments.
