Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 20: The tea party organized by Karnataka Chief Minister (CM), D V Sadananda Gowda, for the opposition party leaders on Friday August 19 evening here was cancelled, as the opposition leaders decided to stay away.

The party had been planned at the CM’s residence, ‘Anugraha’. Leaders of both Congress and JDS parties boycotted the party, paving way for its cancellation. The CM, immediately after swearing-in, had spelt out his plans to meet the opposition leaders once a week to hold discussions and get their suggestions and feedback. The CM, who had planned to hold the tea party on the occasion of taking over as the new CM of the state, had personally called up the opposition leaders, it is learnt.

Commenting on the development, Congress leader, Siddaramaiah, said that he had indeed received an invite from the office of the CM. He said he was not aware that it was for interacting with the CM. “As I was invited to just have food and tea, I decided to skip it. If the purpose of the party was to exchange views with the CM, the CM or his officials could have at least informed me over phone. That was not done,” he clarified.