There was more drama in Mumbai as Congress leader DK Shivakumar rushed to the city on Wednesday with the aim of bringing back 10 rebel MLAs back to the party. After being denied entry into the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai, where 10 rebel MLAs have been staying for the last two days, DK Shivakumar’ s reservation at the hotel was cancelled.
“As per our conversation we wish to inform you that we have reservation in the name of DK Shivakumar: REZ77566SD2 due to some emergency in the hotel we need to cancel the reservation,” the hotel said.
This comes after the 10 rebel MLAs wrote to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai alleging they were “threatened” by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar who were coming to meet them, and requested the police to not allow them to enter the hotel premises.
“We the following elected members of Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard that [Chief Minister] Sri Kumar Swamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same. We do not want to meet him, kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises,” the letter said.
The letter was signed by Shivaram Hebbar, Pratapgouda Patil, BC Patil, Byrati Basavaraj, ST Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Gopalaiah, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumatahalli. The rebel MLAs staying in Mumbai made it clear that they intend to follow through with their resignations.
When DK Shivakumar reached the hotel in the morning, he was greeted with protests from BJP supporters and was barred from entering the hotel by the police. Police was present in large numbers as the MLAs sought protection. Unable to meet the MLAs, DK Shivakumar had said, "I don't have weapons. I only have a heart. Those are my brothers inside, members of my family. There is an issue going on in the family, but we can't immediately divorce," he said.
At the time, DK Shivakumar said that he had reserved a room, and that anyone could come there. "Is this a BJP hotel? Anyone can come to the hotel. I have booked a room here, I have a card here. I am not a threat. I am here to talk to them," he had said.
"They should be proud of a customer like me. I love Mumbai. I love this hotel. Let them cancel. I have other rooms also," DK Shivakumar told ANI.
Meanwhile, rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi told ANI that he doesn’t want to meet DK Shivakumar. “I don't want to meet DKS. I won't meet him for any reason. I have been saying the same for a year and my decision is final,” he said.
“Let all this drama end and I will tell you why this has happened, because of who this happened. Right now, there is no reason I will meet DK Shivakumar. We are firm and four more people will join us,” he added.