Overview

• Karnataka's deputy chief minister said Thursday he would remain mum and asked the media to approach party spokespersons for comments on any subject.
• He has faced attacks over saying Chamundeswari hill is not the exclusive property of Hindus, drawing condemnation from BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar.
• Shivakumar recently apologised after video of his RSS anthem recital in the Assembly circulated and drew criticism, including from some Congress workers.
• BJP national general secretary B L Santhosh posted on X accusing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of forcing the apology and opposing what he described as nationalist positions.
• BJP leaders also objected to the state's choice of Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara and warned of a movement against the decision.