Congress distances itself from Shamanur and M.B. Patil’s statements

They had supported Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa

Distancing himself from the statements of senior Congress leaders Shamanur Shivashankarappa and M.B. Patil in support of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, State Congress working president Saleem Ahmed on Tuesday said their statements were not that of the party. “Mr. Shivashankarappa has issued the statement in his capacity as the president of the All-India Veerashiva Mahasabha, while Mr. Patil has said in his personal capacity. Their statements are not of the Congress,” he said. On Monday, Mr. Shivashankarappa, Congress MLA from Davangere South, met Mr. Yediyurappa and said the Veerashaiva community was firmly behind him. Any effort to dislodge him would not go well with the community. Mr. Ahmed said the State BJP leaders were fighting among themselves to retain power. They are not focused on handling the pandemic and other pressing issues concerning the State.