Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 20: Minister, D K Shivakumar, has planned his foreign sojourn at a critical juncture when the state government is facing a delicate situation. The timings of his foreign jaunt has given rise to intense speculations and discussions in the political circles here.

Because, minister, Shivakumar, who was always there when the government faced crisis-like situation, both major and minor, and who had announced from various forums that he would be backing the government like a rock under all the situations and he can be counted upon to defuse any kind of crises, would not be available for consultation when the Lok Sabha result comes out. The people rightly are made to doubt whether he decided on foreign trip at this time purposefully. Shivakumar will not be reachable for any kinds of communication for a week.

Shivakumar left from New Delhi along with family members for undertaking the tour of Australia on Sunday May 19 night. He would be extensively visiting different places in Australia till May 27. He will be away from politics during this period and spend his entire time with family, sources said.

The Lok Sabha election result is due to be announced on May 23. There is also other apprehension about the stability of the coalition government if the result heavily favours the BJP. D K Shivakumar, who had taken lead and offered to sort out differences of opinion between the alliance partners and had nested Congressmen together in his resort during trying times as a measure against poaching through what is known as 'resort politics', has left for Australia.

Only Shivakumar would be able to clarify whether his trip to Austria was a well-planned strategy or was it a case of plain coincidence.