A day after obtaining bail from the Delhi High Court, the former Minister and Congress’ troubleshooter D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday visited AICC office in New Delhi and also called on his lawyers who argued his case in the alleged money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
He told reporters, “I thank all those who have helped me and stood with me in the hour of crisis. I thank all the leaders of political parties , including my party president Sonia Gandhi. She came all the way to visit me and give me strength and solidarity.”
‘Some rejoiced’
“Some people, however, felt happy too. We cannot do anything about it. No regrets about anything,” Mr. Shivakumar said without mentioning names of leaders who he said had rejoiced his arrest. “I had told in the Assembly that I am ready go to jail ... I am very clear that I am a law-abiding person. The law cannot be disrespected.”
The seven-time MLA met K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, at the party’s headquarters and discussed political developments. Mr. Venugopal later tweeted: “BJP’s vendetta politics can never defeat us in our fight to save democracy.”
The Congress strongman in the State said he would also meet those people who had supported him during his arrest and even staged demonstrations in his constituency and Bengaluru. Leaders cutting across political parties extended support for him, he said.
Mr. Shivakumar said the ED had postponed questioning of his wife and his mother to October 31.
“We have requested the ED to question my mother in Bengaluru since it is difficult for her to come to New Delhi owing to age-related issues,” he said.
