Bengaluru: KPCC President DK Shivakumar has been caught on camera by a Kannada news channel refusing to allow a team of government officials to conduct a blood test on him after a video of his faltering legs went viral on social media.

Not missing an opportunity to target the Congress leader, Karnataka BJP commented on Shivakumar's faltering legs during the much-hyped padayatra organized by the Congress, which is seeking early implementation of the Mekedatu project.

"DK crosses ???," Karnataka BJP tweeted, hinting that Shivakumar is marching in a state of inebriation. Hours after this video went viral, the team of officials arrived at the resting place late evening where Shivakumar was getting ready to lie down on the bed after an hectic day of padayatra.

The Congress leader is seen refusing to comply with the request of the official to allow him to conduct a blood test on him. He is seen saying, "You see, no one can touch me. No one can ask me anything. Who has sent you? I am a representative. If I have any problem, I will tell you. Bloody fellows, they (ministers) are blackmailing me. They can't blackmail me. Please go and tell your health minister ... Why the blood test? For what? Go and test him."

Throwing all Covid norms to the wind, Shivakumar, who has taken out the padayatra with an ambition of becoming the chief minister, is seen telling the team that nobody can compel him to undergo blood test.

"I am fit, fine. Do you understand? You can't compel me. I know the law of this land. You tell your Home Minister, I am perfect. The Home Minister (Araga Jnanendra), Health Minister (Dr K Sudhakar) and Chief Minister (Basavaraj Bommai may have health issues. I will not give a blood test. There is no need. I have walked 15 kms under tough conditions. Did I falter? I will not give any test," he said.

Shivakumar is also seen saying that he did not expect the chief minister to conduct a blood test on him and if the government wants him to be arrested, he and other Congress MLAs are ready for it.
"I never expected this from the chief minister. This is a political battle ... I will not allow it. You should not touch me. You should not come and meet me ... Already a case has been filed against me. If you want to file another case, you can do so. I have seen Tihar jail. Ramanagara jail remains to be seen. Let the government imprison all the MLAs. I never expected this from the chief minister to send a team like this," he said.

Earlier, Karnataka BJP shared a purported video of Shivakumar coughing, calling Congress a 'superspreader'.

"Watch Congress president DK Shivakumar coughing in public during his fake protest for Mekedatu dam. It appears that he is having Covid-19 symptoms, but is still interacting with Congress workers without a mask. Is he hell-bent on increasing Corona cases?" BJP tweeted.
In the morning, Bommai warned of action against violators of Covid norms which also bans political rallies and protests.