"It is true that Satish Jarkiholi and I met; we are colleagues, don't portray us as enemies": DCM Shivakumar

Speaking to reporters at Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)'s new office building, he said, "It is true that Satish Jarkiholi and I met at a wedding last evening. We discussed the state and the party. We are colleagues. Why do you paint us as enemies?"

Asked about the meeting, he said, "We may be in the Cabinet meeting together in the afternoon and then meet for dinner in the evening. Or may meet for breakfast in the morning. Friendships and bonding are common in politics."

"I spoke to M B Patil for about an hour. We discussed several aspects of how to attract investors and competition from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Telangana is also holding a global summit soon. We discussed how to compete at the global level. It is natural for Cabinet colleagues to discuss the state's progress," Shivakumar explained.

Speaking about KKRDB's new office, he said, "We need to respect those who do business in Karnataka. The new KKRDB building has been built to help clear files quickly. They were in a rented building, and it has been moved to its own building now."

Asked about R Ashok's statement on the corruption report by Upa Lokayukta, Shivakumar said, "Ashok doesn't seem to know whose report it is. Let him first understand when that report was released and then raise it in the Assembly. We will reply to him."

When reporters asked if a date has been finalised for the all-party meet at Delhi, he said, "It is yet to be finalised. Union Ministers are saying they are tied up with the Parliament session; hence, we have postponed the meeting scheduled for December 8. We will figure out a suitable time." (ANI)