Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has “insulted” 7.4 crore Kannadigas by “pushing out” Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during a protest rally in Delhi, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Legislative Council N. Ravi Kumar alleged on Tuesday. However, Mr. Shivakumar has said that he was never “pushed” as claimed.

“I am making this statement notwithstanding the political and ideological differences we have with the Chief Minister because Mr. Shivakumar represents the collective honour, dignity and self-respect of 7.4 crore Kannadigas,” Mr. Ravi Kumar said in a statement issued in Bengaluru.

He accused Mr. Rahul Gandhi of showing “crudity and brazenness” by rudely pushing Mr. Shivakumar during the protest march. This is a proof of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s utter disrespect for his own party Chief Minister, he maintained.

Meanwhile speaking in Delhi, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Mr. Rahul Gandhi did not push me. He only showed concern by suggesting that I should board the vehicle that was following us as there was too much rush”.

““The BJP loves me a lot, and hence, they are indulging in such a propaganda,” he said.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister also shared a picture of him with Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra during the high tea hoasted by Mr. Gandhi in Delhi.