DKS detained in Mumbai after high drama at hotel

MUMBAI: Karnataka Congress strongman D K Shivakumar was detained by Mumbai police on Wednesday outside Renaissance Hotel in Powai where 10 rebel MLAs — seven of Congress and three of JD(S) — have been staying since they resigned from the Karnataka assembly and withdrew support to the HD Kumaraswamy government. Shivakumar was not allowed to enter the hotel and, after being detained for two hours, was “forcibly” put on a plane to Karnataka by police, Congress alleged.
Shivakumar’s colleagues from Mumbai Congress, Milind Deora and Naseem Khan, were also detained along with him, taken in a police van to the rest house at Mumbai University’s Kalina campus and released two hours later.
Shivakumar landed in the city at 7.15am and reached the hotel at 8.30am to meet the rebel MLAs. But he was not allowed entry by Mumbai police, who claimed the MLAs had written to the police commissioner, saying: “We have heard DK Shivakumar is going to storm the hotel, we feel threatened. Do not allow them to enter hotel premises.”
The Congress’s troubleshooter claimed he wasn’t being allowed in despite having booked a room in the hotel and sat outside the hotel’s gates in protest. Meanwhile, at the hotel entrance, a group that had gathered started raising slogans like “Go Back Shivakumar.” They refused to comment when asked which party they belonged to. The entire stretch leading to the hotel was lined with security personnel since early morning.
“I did not come here to trouble anyone but to meet my friends who are here in the hotel. I booked a room in the hotel and no one can stop me from going inside,” Shivakumar said, adding, “BJP is saying they are not involved. But here they have prompted and taken the letter (from the MLAs) and given it to the police commissioner.” He also said, “BJP’s relationship with them is (over the past) 2-3 days, but my relationship with them is around 40 years. I know them, my heart is open to them. I will win them over and take them with me (to Karnataka).”
The hotel told Shivakumar his reservation had been cancelled.