Credit war continues, Rajeev Chandrashekhar reacts to Congress, says he arranged Hanamanthappa family's travel

The "credit war" over the travel arrangements for Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad’s family is turning bitter with political leaders claiming that they were the ones who helped the soldier's family travel from Karnataka to Delhi.

Independent Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka and a businessman Rajeev Chandrashekhar has been claiming that he was arranging their tickets, accommodations etc for the family though records show that the Karnataka government and local Congress leaders in his native place Dharwad district arranged the travel.

On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posted on his Facebook page that his government made all arrangements. He wrote, "It was our MLA CS Shivalli who had made all arrangements for the flight of the six family members of the soldier. They had already left the place before I reached Hubballi. I could only talk to them over phone. I am in touch with the commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan at Delhi and making sure every arrangement is being made and facilities given."

However, Chandrashekhar took to Twitter and claimed that the Karnataka Congress booked Hanamanthappa's family for a different flight to get 'credit' for the work. "rest of country is praying for Ln Nk #Hanamanthappa, karnataka congrs wrkng for 'credit' on flying fmly to Delhi. Karnataka Congress made fmly fly on a later flight to get 'credit' aftr my team drove fmly to goa with flight tkts," he tweeted.

Chandrasekhar's aide Anand Vijayender also tweeted a picture of the ticket that was booked for the soldier's family, saying that Congress is trying to take the credit away from the MP. Chandrashekhar's office in Bengaluru told the media that they had booked tickets on an Air Asia flight, but had to cancel them after Hanamanthappa's family left by some other flight.

Alleging that Rajeev Chandrashekhar is making false claims that he was the one who helped, All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa had posted a scathing statement on his Facebook page attaching the proofs. He wrote, "Tickets for 6 persons from Goa to New Delhi which were first booked for the 4.30 pm flight, but later changed to 7 pm, were booked by C S Shivalli, INC MLA, Kundgol. He is one of the Parliamentary Secretaries. He paid Rs 43,052/- for the tickets.

When Hanamanthappa's family arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, Rajeev Chandrashekhar was present there. However Karnataka Resident Commissioner in New Delhi Atul Kumar Tiwari clarified that the state government had sent its protocol officers with government vehicles to receive and escort them to Army guest house much before that.

In a reply to Rajeev Chandrashekar's letter requesting Tiwari to reserve three rooms at Karnataka Bhawan, he politely, but firmly said that the state government is taking care of everything and it was the duty and privilege of the state to arrange everything for a brave soldiers family. Tiwari also told the media that he had been personally instructed by the Chief Minister to keep a watch on the health condition of Hanamanthappa and stay in touch with his family members.

Karnataka Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav had also sent a letter instructing Tiwari to treat Hanamanthappa's family members as state guests and not to charge for anything.