Police detain Congress leader DK Shivakumar, deny permission to meet rebel Cong-JD(S) MLAs from K’taka
The fate of Kumaraswamy government in Karnataka continued to be in limbo with two more Congress MLAs quitting on Wednesday. However, a high octane, parallel drama unfolded at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai when Karnataka Congress' troubleshooter-in-chief DK Shivakumar landed there in the morning. The state police, expecting trouble, had enforced Section 144 in the area since early midnight. Shivakumar was stopped from entering the hotel despite a legitimate booking that he showed at the gate.
The 14 Congress, JD(S) and independent legislators had already written to the police demanding protection. This also justified the police bandobast at the venue. The hotel also took a clue from the developing conundrum and summarily cancelled Shivakumar's booking citing technical inconvenience. Shivakumar staged an impromptu satyagraha at the venue, reiterating that he was unarmed and had booked the hotel as a civilian.
"I was denied my basic civil rights. Shame on the system. No one should misuse the law," he told media persons present there. He further stated that he would not leave or even move without speaking with the rebel lawmakers who are his 'friends'. "I am in touch with them and our hearts are beating to meet each other. I have a heart, no weapons," said Shivakumar.
B Basavaraj, a rebel Congress leader staying at the hotel said, "We don't intend to hurt Shivakumar. However, there is a reason why we have taken this step...we request him to understand why we cannot meet him today."
As the local Congress leaders including Milind Deora, Naseem Khan and others reached the venue to express their solidarity with Shivakumar, rebel Maharashtra Congress leader Narayan Rane's men stormed the venue and shouted slogans: "Go back, go back; Shivakumar go back".
Drama didn't end there. Police, making use of Section 144, detained all Congress leaders present including Shivakumar and took them to the Mumbai University hostel in Kalina. Here too, Youth Congress leaders convened to support their detained leaders. After three hours of preventive detention, local Congress leaders were released and Mumbai police escorted DK Shivakumar to the airport to be sent back to the airport.
| How things unfolded |
| 8 am: Rebel Congress legislators write to Mumbai police stating that DK Shivakumar is visiting them and there is a threat to their lives. Hence, he should not be allowed to meet them. |
| 8:30 am: Congress leader from Bengaluru D K Shivakumar arrives at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai along with GT Devegowda of JDS. There are 14 MLAs staying in the hotel comprising of 11 Congress MLAs, 2 JDS and one independent. However, Mumbai police deny him entry despite he shows a legitimate reservation. The Hotel cancels his reservation citing technical reasons. |
| 8:30 am to 10:30 am: D K Shivakumar continues to argue with the police that he is without any weapons and he has booked the suite in the hotel in the capacity of a normal citizen. He argues that he should be allowed to meet the legislators as he is friends with them |
| 10:30 am: Local Congress youth leaders accompany D K Shivakumar. Former Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam visits him and returns back. |
| 11:30 am: D K Shivakumar continues to camp at the Hotel. Meanwhile, the hotel management and police offer him Momos, Idli-Wada and refreshments. |
| 12:30 pm: Local Congress leaders Milind Deora and Nasim Khan, along with a few local leaders visit the hotel to show solidarity with D K Shivakumar. |
| 1 pm: Followers of former Congress leader Narayan Rane assemble at Renaissance Hotel and start shouting slogans urging DK Shivakumar to go back. |
| 2:42 pm: D K Shivakumar along with the Mumbai Congress leaders are detained and taken to the University rest house in Kalina. |
| 5 pm: Local leaders are released and police escort D K Shivakumar to the airport to send him back to Bengaluru without allowing him to meet rebel Congress legislators |
(BJP supporters protest and shout slogans outside Renaissance-ANI )
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "DK Shivakumar with GT Devegowda, Milind Deora, Nasem Khan and Sanjay Nirupam")
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}