‘Stronger than you think’

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Bengaluru: KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar’s attempt to persuade former minister, D.K. Shivakumar to take oath as legislator failed on Monday as the sulking Vokkaliga leader citing religious reasons, shied away from setting a deadline for oath-taking before the ongoing legislative session ends on Wednesday.
 
In a conciliatory gesture Dr Parameshwar met Shivakumar at the latter’s residence in Sadashivanagar and held a one-on-one meeting with him for more than 90 minutes.
 
Seeking to underplay the party’s Vokkaliga face’s giant sulk, Dr Parameshwar described his meeting with Shivakumar as ‘just a courtesy call’ and added for good measure that he was ‘a loyal Congressman who had lived up to the party’s expectations,’ and that Shivakumar had not taken the oath as he was tied down by engagements.
 
Shivakumar’s obvious reluctance to participate in the assembly as a legislator is widely perceived to be a direct result of the new CM’s reluctance to induct the Kanakapura MLA into the cabinet.
 
“Let the Opposition parties focus on their work instead of poking their nose in our party affairs,” the KPCC chief said, going on the attack, adding that the party was well aware that voters from Shivakumar's constituency were disappointed he had not been made a minister.
 
Shivakumar however was quick to squelch speculation that he was 'upset'. “I am aware of my value. I am not saying this with arrogance. But I am like a pot made from bronze, not from clay. With each wash, a bronze pot shines. A clay pot may not withstand the test of time. I have withstood many storms in my life. So, this is not an issue at all,” he said. Saying he would take the oath 'in time', he ascribed the delay to the time he needed to fulfill religious vows. "I will seek an appointment with the Speaker to take the oath,” he said.