Former Karnataka minister and Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar has been detained by police in Mumbai after spending hours outside the Renaissance Hotel Powai in an effort to speak to the rebelling Congress and JD(S) MLAs staying at the hotel. DK Shivakumar was determined not to leave Mumbai without meeting the 10 MLAs.
Despite not being allowed to go inside the hotel, DK Shivakumar refused to leave and remained seated outside the hotel along with Shivarame Gowda, GT Devegowda and other supporters. Along with Shivakumar, Congress leader Milind Deora has also been detained.
According to media reports, Deora and Shivakumar were taken to Kalina Campus at Mumbai University.
Mumbai is in the middle of its peak monsoon season and heavy rain poured down on the city on Wednesday, but DK Shivakumar didn’t budge as Congress supporters rushed to give him shelter from the heavy rain. “I am here to convince and take them with me. Nothing is permanent in politics. We will go back together,” he said, seated on a chair, partially wet from the downpour.
The heightened drama saw heavy police presence outside the hotel. Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force and Riot Control Police were deployed outside the hotel, which saw a massive crowd comprising politicians, police personnel, supporters of the MLAs and media persons.
After DKS was met with protestors in the morning asking him to go back, Section 144 has been imposed in Powai area, essentially prohibiting assembly of more than four people.
Security was further tightened after the MLAs wrote to Mumbai Commissioner of Police seeking protection from DKS.
Even as Additional Commissioner Manoj Sharma came to speak to DKS, he reiterated that he only wanted to meet the MLAs and didn’t wish to cause any disturbance. “We are law abiding citizens, we are law makers, we do not wish to cause any law problem. The police can take us wherever they want, ready to cooperate. But the purpose of coming here should be achieved,” he said.
Renaissance Hotel cancelled DKS’s reservation ‘due to some emergency in the hotel’.
“I had reserved a room here, but they cancelled it. Bombay is known for hospitality, other rooms are there. If they don’t give anything, the streets of Bombay are there,” DKS told the media while waiting outside.
However, the MLAs inside the hotel have refused to meet DKS.
“We formed government because of them. Everyone is looking at us, the party cadre of the nation is looking at us. We wanted to have a secular government. BJP is saying not involved but former speaker, former home minister have come here and have given a letter to the police commissioner. But their relationship with BJP is of 2-3 days, while my relationship with them is of 40 years. They are my friends. I know their heart and their feelings and will win them,” DKS said.