From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 1: Wading into the controversy over the reported rift between opposition BJP and JDS over their proposed padayatra on the MUDA scam, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar pointedly asked how can BJP snatch the existence of JDS in its strongholds.

Speaking to media persons in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, he said “All of us, whether it is JDS under H D Kumaraswamy or the Congress party under my leadership in the State or the BJP, play politics as per our party policies and conveniences. I believe all of us are trying to protect our respective existence.”

“Therefore, I fell there might be rift and disagreement between BJP and JDS,” he said answering questions from the media persons over the reports of JDS disagreeing with BJP’s padayatra plans.

The KPCC Chief said BJP has won in 10 Lok Sabha seats with JDS support. Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru Rural are districts where JDS has hold. “If BJP leaders plunge into action without consulting their ally JDS and seek to establish their supremacy, will JDS accept it? It is a different matter if JDS merges with BJP,” he said.

Cong to counter Padayatra

The Deputy Chief Minister declared that Congress party is making its own plans to counter the padayatra.

“There are at least 30 corruption scams pertaining to the BJP rule in the State. We will expose them daily one after another. If the finalise their padayatra plans, we will decide and announce our own plans to counter them,” he declared.

Shivakumar, however, refused to speak about Kumaraswamy’s opposition to BJP leader Preetham Gowda, who had allegedly circulated the pen drives of the sex scandal of ex-JDS Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.

The Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Bengaluru received financial support for the city in view of its stature as an International City.

He said that he has also spoken to Union Defence Minister and Union Urban Development Minister for their support.