New Delhi: Karnataka's deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, a close confidant of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, sparked a surprise by singing the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) anthem inside the state assembly. While the Congress tried to play down Shivakumar's act, the BJP used the video to take a jibe at the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership. Shivakumar sang the RSS anthem, Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoome, during the ongoing monsoon session. It is traditionally sung at RSS shakhas (branches) across the country. Senior Congress leader Saleem Ahmed urged people not to read much into Shivakumar's act, insisting that he is a close aide of the Gandhis. "DKS is a loyal Congress worker," said Ahmed, who is former Working President-KPCC. The BJP, however, used the video to highlight RSS's contribution to the country. "They (Congress) have realised the RSS is an organisation of discipline and service," said BJP National Spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari, meanwhile, claimed that Congress leaders don't take the Gandhis "seriously".
Rahul Gandhi & close aides of Gandhi Vadra family straight into ICU/Coma mode now.
"Rahul Gandhi & close aides of Gandhi Vadra family straight into ICU/Coma mode now. After PM Modi spoke about the contribution of the RSS from the ramparts of the Red Fort, a majority of Congress leaders are now hailing the RSS. No one in Congress - Tharoor to DK Shivkumar takes Rahul seriously," he said.
Shivakumar, had previously said that he attended RSS shakhas as a schoolboy in Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar area.
His act drew attention because the Congress has historically been one of the strongest critics of the RSS, which is widely seen as the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
