Does Cong need a Patel portrait or not? Siddu, DKS not on same page

A month after Congress leaders V.S. Upgrappa and Salim Ahmed landed in a spot after an ‘overheard’ conversation on commissions taken by Congress leaders for government projects went viral, another conversation between Congress Legislature Party(CLP) Leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar over the portrait of the ‘Iron man of India’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has become the subject of widespread discussion on social media.

This incident took place on October 31 at the KPCC Office in Bengaluru during a function to observe the death anniversary of former PM late Indira Gandhi. The video of the dialogue between the two strong contenders for the CM’s gaddi if the Congress wins the 2023 polls, was put out by Honnali BJP MLA, M.P.Renukacharya. He claimed that the Congress leaders decided to honour Patel whose birth anniversary falls on the same day as Indira’s death anniversary, fearing a backlash from the saffron party.

On the day, the garlanded portrait of Indira was placed behind the row of chairs on the dais of the Congress office. Siddaramaiah is heard telling Shivakumar, “today is the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi and the birth anniversary of Patel, you should have put the photo of Patel along with Indira Gandhi.’’ The PCC President replies “this is the birth anniversary and that is the death anniversary so two photographs can’s be kept side by side. We are in the Congress”.

Siddaramaiah then says, “but, you know what happens…BJP will take advantage of it” to which Shivakumar replies, haven’t you seen all these? We have never kept both portraits together”.

But after a few minutes, Shivakumar calls an office staffer and asks, “Do you have a portrait of Sardar Patel?”. When the man says yes, Shivakumar tells him to get it immediately and place it next to Indira’s portrait. He then turns to Siddu and says “I have kept the portrait”. Siddaramaiah replies, “OK. Fine”. Later, both of them get up and offer floral tributes to both leaders. Being politically wise can make all the difference between victory and defeat.