From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 17: Despite the apology and payment of charges and penalty levied by BESCOM authorities over the ‘power theft’ at his JP Nagar residence for Deepavali lighting decorations by JDS leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, the controversy and slugfest over the issue continues unabated with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar offering to furnish details and account of all alleged ‘’power theft’’ by him.

Speaking to media persons near his residence in Bengaluru on Friday, the Congress State President said he was ready to furnish details of alleged ‘’power theft’’ in the Congress party’s Mekedatu padayatra and Kanakotsava festival as well in the construction of big buildings like Lulu Mall in the city as demanded by the JDS leader.

“I accept his challenge and am prepared to provide all details,’’ he said making it clear that he cannot be ‘’cowed down by arrogant talk or blackmail tactics,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said he was ready accept the challenge of Kumaraswamy on the power consumption for the Congress party’s Mekedatu padayatra and Kanakotsava festival as well in the construction of big buildings like Lulu Mall in the city.

“Kumaraswamy has lost mental balance and become mad. He has lost his patience and is speaking whatever comes to his mind out of frustration after the defeat in the assembly polls,’’ he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the people have given befitting reply to JDS and his new alliance partner BJP. “If he wants, I will give him a reply. I can furnish all details as demanded by him,’’ he said.

Answering questions on Kumaraswamy’s charge that the land for the Lulu Mall was constructed on ‘’karab land’’ (belonging to government), he explained that the land belongs to an organisation of the Central government.

“The organisation has provided all the documents and invited tenders. The land was purchased by my friends in the tenders and I had purchased it from them and constructed the mall in joint partnership,’’ he explained.

Shivakumar declared: “I am ready to hanged, if I have done anything wrong or illegal in the mall deal.’’

“He (Kumaraswamy) had tried to control me through several such attempts. His father had tried to harass me by using an officer Jayaraj some 10 to 15 years back. I am ready to face any charges,’’ he asserted.

Shivakumar said: “As a person in public life, I have declared details of all my assets and liabilities at various points of time.’’

The Deputy Chief Minister responded to Kumaraswamy’s statement that ‘electricity was used illegally’ in the construction of the Lulu Mall. “The Mall was built by my partners Shobha Developers and ask them to furnish all details of power consumption with relevant records,’’ he said.

To a question on Congress minister Z A Zameer Ahmed Khan that because of Congress party, the opposition BJP, which hates Muslims, is compelled to bow down before Assembly Speaker U T Khader and address him respectfully, Shivakumar said he was unaware of the controversial statement and would give a reply after obtaining all details.