From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 7: Lashing out at BJP for projecting Rahul Gandhi as Ravan, the demon who had kidnapped Ram’s wife Sita, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday alleged that the BJP is unable to digest the Congress leader’s popularity and leadership qualities.
The BJP is not capable of fully understanding the significance of the war waged by Ravan, he said while speaking to media persons and attacked the BJP for bringing out posters projecting the former Congress president as Ravan.
“Ravan is revered and worshipped in Northern India,’’ he said BJP does not know the diversity of Indian culture.
Shivakumar said opposition parties formed the INDIA alliance after Rahul Gandhi’s countrywide Bharat Jodo Yatra. The INDIA alliance is emerging as a strong and potent force and this has worried BJP, which has stooped to the level of projecting Rahul as the 10-headed demon.
"BJP’s Ravan posters are an indication of BJP’s insecurity over Rahul Gandhi. BJP should understand mythology as it was Ravan who forced Ram to wage a war,’’ he said.
Asked about the non-release of payments for works executed in the 9 wards of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, he said the payments are being released. However, the local legislator has lodged a complaint with Lokayukta demanding a probe into the works. The government has accepted their demand.
No hike in property taxes
To a question on increasing the property taxes, Shivakumar said it is enough if the citizens pay the taxes in accordance with their properties. “For the time being, the government has no proposal to levy fresh taxes,’’ he said.
Liquor shops cannot be opened in each village
On the question of opening more liquor sale outlets, he said the Chief Minister had already clarified.
There are specific rules and liquor sale outlets cannot be opened in each village. There should be an organised system, he said.
Pallakki Buses Launched
The Deputy Chief Minister later launched the Pallakki Bus service of KSRTC.
“Earlier, Pallakki was used to carry Kings and Royal persons. Now, the same Pallakki is used carry women and passengers,’’ he said after launching 100 KSRTC buses and 40 non-AC sleeper buses.
He said he asked his wife to travel to Mysuru using Pallakki bus.
“Women are the eyes of family and society. Let more and more women travel in government buses along with other family members,’’ he said pointing out that over 70 crore women have utilised the free bus travel facility in government buses in the State and warmly complimented Transport Minister B Ramalinga Reddy and his team of officers.