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A shocking video of Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar has gone viral on social media. In the video he can be seen slapping a man who attempted to put his arms around him.
The incident took place when the Congress leader was in Mandya on Friday to check on the health of a party MP. In the viral video, Shivakumar was purportedly seen getting irritated by the action of the man, a JD(S) worker, who tried to get close to the Congress veteran and put his hand over him. Over this, Shivakumar snapped back and slapped him.
"What is this behaviour at this place? I have given you freedom, but that doesn't mean you can do this. You should behave responsibly and know how to treat a party president," he can be heard as saying.
The incident drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and various other social media users.
Commenting over the incident, BJP national General Secretary CT Ravi tweeted, "Karnataka CONgress President @DKShivakumar SLAPS his party worker in full public view. If this is how the "former shishya" of Kotwal Ramachandra treats his party worker, one can imagine what he would do with Others."
"Have you given DKS the "licence for violence", @RahulGandhi?" he asked.
Speaking on the incident, BJP spokesperson S Prakash said, "The high-handed behaviour of DK Shivakumar towards his own karyakarta is highly deplorable. He is unable to shed his previous image. He is repeatedly indulging in arrogant behaviour even towards his own cadre. The party is being headed by a person who does not have basic decency in public life."
According to a TOI report, Umesh, the JD(S) worker said, “Though I’m a JD(S) member, I had gone to meet DK Shivakumar and take a selfie with him because I’m his fan since he was one of our community (Vokkaliga) leaders. But his action has disappointed me. He should change his attitude if he has to grow.”
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