From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 10: Lashing out at JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy for his “sudden love for his own Vokkaliga community and its pontiffs and for criticising the Congress party’s Mekedatu padayatra, KPCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said why he suddenly started talking in favour of Mekedatu project before the elections and the love for his own Vokkaliga community and the Adichunchanagiri Mutt pontiff.
Speaking to media persons near his residence in Bengaluru on Wednesday, he said the Vokkaliga community and the entire State knows about the attempts by the H D Deve Gowda family and Kumaraswamy to create an alternative Vokkaliga Math and the sudden love for the present pontiff Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji. Shivakumar claimed that he does not take the criticism and talk of Kumaraswamy seriously as he never sticks to any particular position and goes on changing his stand to suit his political convenience.
Asked about Kumaraswamy’s criticism of the Congress party’s manifesto, the KPCC chief said the JD(S) leader speaks ill of everybody and negatively and changes his position on various issues depending on the political situation.
“He (Kumaraswamy) had criticised the Mekedatu project and has now vows to get it implemented. He did not leave the Swamijis and tried to create an alternative Math. Now, he goes to the Adichunchanagiri Math every day morning,” he said.
Shivakumar said, “what BJP leader B S Yediyurappa said about Kumaraswamy and the latter against the former are all part of the official records in the Assembly. When the Kumaraswamy became chief minister, he criticised BJP leaders R Ashoka, C P Yogeshwar and Dr C N Ashwath Narayana and blamed them for toppling his government. Now the same Kumaraswamy is embracing all of them and campaigning with them. He has forgotten everything. Can his words be taken seriously?”
To a question on Kumaraswamy and Congress leaders meeting the Adichunchanagiri pontiff and whether it will influence the Vokkaliga voters, Shivakumar retorted: “The Vokkaliga community knows everything and watches the developments. They know who tried to split the Vokkaliga community and create an alternative math. The Swamijis and community leaders and members are not fools."
The deputy chief minister said what Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy spoke against Yediyrurappa and other BJP leaders as well as the criticism of Yediyurappa and BJP leaders against the Deve Gowda family inside and outside the Assembly are part of the record.
“Just because the leaders of both parties are embracing now, does not mean the Vokkaliga community, the Swamijis and the people have forgotten everything,” he said pointing out that the Swamiji blesses everybody who meet him and keeps out of politics.
Asked about Kumaraswamy’s promise to unite the Vokkaliga community, Shivakumar said he is not the sole leader of the community. “I am the KPCC president and deputy chief minister. Our party has given tickets to 8 Vokkaligas. We know how to take care of the community and work for its welfare,” he said.
He also taunted JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and wondered how he speaks about winning 4 out of the 28 seats when his party is contesting in just 3 seats. "His own son-in-law is a BJP candidate and contests on its ticket and symbol. How did that happen?" Shivakumar wondered.
When asked about the meals to JD(S) leaders and people at Kumaraswamy’s Bidadi farmhouse, Shivakumar said: “He had forgotten everybody during the Covid-19 pandemic and at least now remembers them. If the Election Commission is really impartial, it should look into all these things and take action."
Replying to a question of Kumaraswamy’s victory in Mandya because of BJP and JD(S) alliance and former MP Sumalatha Ambarish extending support, Shivakumar said: “Let them do anything and bring all Central ministers, but our candidate Venkataramana Gowda will win."