<p>Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, who is leading his party’s Mekedatu foot march, claimed Monday that the BJP government tried to ‘infect’ him with Covid-19 through an official who has tested positive.</p>.<p>On Sunday night, a team of officers comprising Ramanagara additional deputy commissioner Javare Gowda T met Shivakumar to get the Congress leader tested for Covid-19. A video showing Shivakumar refusing to get tested and reprimanding the officials went viral. </p>.<p>Addressing an unscheduled news conference in the middle of the second day’s march, Shivakumar said the additional DC has tested positive for Covid-19. “What are they trying to do? Why are they trying such cheap politics,” he asked, accusing the BJP government of trying to sabotage the Mekedatu padayatra that kicked off Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/dks-refuses-covid-test-says-karnataka-govt-deliberately-hiking-numbers-1069731.html">DKS refuses Covid test, says Karnataka govt deliberately hiking numbers</a></strong></p>.<p>“Apparently, the Ramanagara DC, who was on stage with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai recently, has tested positive for Covid. The additional DC, who is a primary contact, was sent to get my sample and show it as positive,” Shivakumar charged.</p>.<p>“I don’t think Bommai has such a mindset. This must be the plan of either the health minister or the home minister," he added.</p>.<p>Earlier in the day, Shivakumar told reporters that the government is deliberately hiking the Covid-19 case numbers. “I have ten doctors in my family. I know what’s going on,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/karnataka-cm-basavaraj-bommai-covid-positive-with-mild-symptoms-1069875.html">Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai Covid-positive with mild symptoms</a></strong></p>.<p>“To show high case numbers, they’re subjecting people to testing and showing them as positive. Even IAS and police officers have told me about whatever is happening,” he said.</p>.<p>Shivakumar demanded a judicial inquiry into allegations that the Covid-19 positivity rate is being manipulated, a claim the government has denied. </p>.<p>In the video that went viral, Shivakumar is heard pulling up officials. “You can’t blackmail me. Hey Mr…I’m fit and fine. You can’t compel me. I know the law of this land,” Shivakumar is heard saying. Later, he says sorry and asks them to leave. </p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, who is leading his party’s Mekedatu foot march, claimed Monday that the BJP government tried to ‘infect’ him with Covid-19 through an official who has tested positive.</p>.<p>On Sunday night, a team of officers comprising Ramanagara additional deputy commissioner Javare Gowda T met Shivakumar to get the Congress leader tested for Covid-19. A video showing Shivakumar refusing to get tested and reprimanding the officials went viral. </p>.<p>Addressing an unscheduled news conference in the middle of the second day’s march, Shivakumar said the additional DC has tested positive for Covid-19. “What are they trying to do? Why are they trying such cheap politics,” he asked, accusing the BJP government of trying to sabotage the Mekedatu padayatra that kicked off Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/dks-refuses-covid-test-says-karnataka-govt-deliberately-hiking-numbers-1069731.html">DKS refuses Covid test, says Karnataka govt deliberately hiking numbers</a></strong></p>.<p>“Apparently, the Ramanagara DC, who was on stage with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai recently, has tested positive for Covid. The additional DC, who is a primary contact, was sent to get my sample and show it as positive,” Shivakumar charged.</p>.<p>“I don’t think Bommai has such a mindset. This must be the plan of either the health minister or the home minister," he added.</p>.<p>Earlier in the day, Shivakumar told reporters that the government is deliberately hiking the Covid-19 case numbers. “I have ten doctors in my family. I know what’s going on,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/karnataka-cm-basavaraj-bommai-covid-positive-with-mild-symptoms-1069875.html">Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai Covid-positive with mild symptoms</a></strong></p>.<p>“To show high case numbers, they’re subjecting people to testing and showing them as positive. Even IAS and police officers have told me about whatever is happening,” he said.</p>.<p>Shivakumar demanded a judicial inquiry into allegations that the Covid-19 positivity rate is being manipulated, a claim the government has denied. </p>.<p>In the video that went viral, Shivakumar is heard pulling up officials. “You can’t blackmail me. Hey Mr…I’m fit and fine. You can’t compel me. I know the law of this land,” Shivakumar is heard saying. Later, he says sorry and asks them to leave. </p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
