New Delhi: After reports claiming that Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar would meet US Vice-President Kamala Harris—a Democrat candidate for the Presidential polls in US— and former US President Barack Obama during his week-long trip to the country, the leader refuted such claims.
He claimed the purpose of his US trip was ‘personal’ and requested media outlets not to spread any speculations or rumours.
“Regarding my upcoming visit to the United States of America, I would like to dispel the ongoing rumours- my visit is purely for personal reasons and is in no way related to any political motive, nor is it due to any political invitation. I request everyone to kindly refrain from indulging in any kind of conjecture,” he wrote on X.
He also penned a separate letter to All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, mentioning that it was a personal visit. “I will be in Washington from September 8 and will come back on September 16. This is my personal visit,” he wrote. He also stressed that no official meetings were scheduled during this trip and he would be accompanied with his family.
His visit intrigued political analysts because of its timing. The visit comes ahead of Harris’ presidential debate with her rival and Republican Party nominee Donald Trump on September 10 in Philadelphia.
Shivakumar’s itinerary has been kept confidential. In such a scenario, speculations were triggered as he reportedly shares a good bond with Harris.
Interestingly, Shivakumar’s US trip coincides with Congress senior leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The LoP reached Texas on Sunday, where we was given a rousing welcome by the Congress leaders and had addressed the Indian diaspora there, training guns at the BJP.
