From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 29: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar on Wednesday accused the ruling BJP and JD(S) of conspiring to defame him.
Speaking to media at his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he was fully aware of the conspiracies of the two parties against him and promised to carry on with his work.
Sharply reacting to former Chief Minister and State JD(S) President H D Kumaraswamy’s charge that the Congress party is trying to dupe the people of southern parts of Karnataka by undertaking the padayatra to press for implementation of the Mekedatu project for bringing drinking water to Bengaluru and other parts, the KPCC Chief sarcastically commented: “Kumaraswamy is a senior leader, intelligent and litterateur. He is very experienced in politics and comes for a family with political background. He is a film director and producer. He knows when to speak and what to speak.’’
The KPCC Chief said he had to respond and react to Kumaraswamy’s tweet against him as ‘it is fully literary wisdom and I am learning from it’.
Shivakumar, however, reiterated that the Congress party is committed to the development and welfare of the State. “In politics, victory and defeat is quite common. It gives experience and helps in growth and development. I welcome his (Kumaraswamy’s) criticism,’’ he said.
On Kumaraswamy’s attacks against the State Congress party’s 10-day padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu project, the KPCC chief said: "I am surprised that the JD(S) undertook padayatra against the S K Krishna-led Congress government against firing in Channapatna. They undertook a padayatra in connection with advocate and journalist Gangadharamurthy’s murder. They took out padayatra by carrying kerosene cans on head.’’
He pointed out that the Congress party is also leading a padayatra to press for implementation of the Mekedatu project and said former Prime Ministers Chandrashekar, H D Deve Gowda and Andhra Pradesh leader Jaganmohan Reddy and even farmers have undertaken padayatra. While some have yielded results, some have not. But they are part of democratic fights, he said.
On Kumaraswamy’s criticism for his wearing silk dhoti and shirt and greeting people with folded hands as ‘’cinema style design hero,’’ Shivakumar said he is not bothered about such comments as he has become used to such ridicule and comments like ‘bande’ because he hails from rural background.
“Yes, I have appealed to people from various sections, associations, religious mutt pontiffs, colleges, cinema sector leaders and even apartment associations for support. Our padayatra demanding Mekedatu project is non-political and for the rights of the people. Anybody, even JD(S) and BJP leaders or workers are welcome to join us. There is no compulsion on anybody,’’ he said.
Shivakumar mentioned that he wore cotton shirt and the silk shirt and dhoti were worn on the day he took oath as a minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet along with him. He said he had used silk dhoti and shirt while performing Cauvery pooja along with Kumaraswamy.
He pointed out that he did not enter the Talacauvery temple as he was following the 11-day ritual over his grandmother Ningamma’s death and the pooja was offered by KPCC Working President Dhruvanarayana and former minister H M Revanna. "I offered my obeisance from a distance as I was following the family tradition. If I am criticised for this, what should I say. Am I an actor? I have built a cinema theatre in Indira Gandhi’s memory. It is for people to decide whether my love and respect are genuine or acting. I am prepared to accept whatever criticism that Kumaraswamy makes and am ready to learn,’’ he said.
To a question on whether Kumaraswamy and the Deve Gowda family are upset at his popularity in the old Mysore region, Shivakumar said: “I am not big enough to fight against him or his family. I am ready accept any criticism and learn.”
On the opposition from the BJP government to the Congress party’s padayatra on account of the Covid pandemic and likely denial of permission, the KPCC Chief said: “The party will not seek any permission as it is unnecessary. This is fight for our right, our share of water. We are walking following all protocols. Does anybody need permission to walk on the road? Our padayatra will end every day by 7 pm. Aware of the possible traffic congestion in Bengaluru due to padayatra, we have selected double roads. We have faced cases during our fights on other issues. They (government and BJP) have not filed any cases when marriages, conferences and meetings have been held flouting all norms. So why should we be afraid of carrying out the padayatra?’’
The Congress party will go ahead with the padayatra demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project. The party and the legislature wing are united, he said.