If I wanted to, I could’ve taken several MLAs to Delhi with me: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar has said there is no disagreement between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He was responding to questions from reporters near Sadashivanagar on Sunday.
When asked whether the recent breakfast meeting between him and the Chief Minister marks a new beginning in the party, Shivakumar said they are working together and must meet the expectations of the people of Karnataka. He added that the party’s next goal is the 2028 Assembly election.
He made it clear that he has never encouraged group politics. If he wanted to, he could have taken several MLAs along with him to Delhi, but he chose not to. As party president, he said, it is his duty to take everyone along and treat all 140 Congress MLAs equally. Shivakumar also recalled that he had worked with full commitment in the past with H.D. Kumaraswamy and said his loyalty was known to Kumaraswamy's father as well. He said some statements may be made due to personal reasons, but he does not take them to heart.
When asked about his discussions with K.C. Venugopal, he said he has spoken to many leaders but would not reveal those conversations publicly. On BJP’s criticism that he is acting like a “super CM,” Shivakumar said the BJP makes such comments only to stay visible as an opposition party.
Responding to a question on whether his trip to Delhi was politically motivated, he said discussions with MPs are needed on issues such as irrigation, maize prices and sugarcane. He suggested that an all-party meeting should be held in Delhi so that all MPs can attend. He added that ministers from Karnataka should also be part of these discussions.
Asked about Minister Priyank Kharge meeting Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi, Shivakumar dismissed any political angle, saying it was simply a meeting between father and son. He said Priyank had introduced new AI technology and was called to Delhi to explain it, adding that not every meeting should be seen as political.
Shivakumar also said arrangements are ready for the foundation-laying ceremony of the new Congress office, and dates are being finalised. On BJP’s plan to move a no-confidence motion in the Assembly, he said he welcomes it.
When asked about his visits to temples, he said prayer is part of personal discipline and not a political exercise. He added that he visits temples, mosques, churches and Jain basadis for peace of mind and follows the traditions taught by elders.
On his popular line that “efforts may fail, but prayers never fail,” Shivakumar said he stands by it, even if people try to twist its meaning.
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Shivakumar clarifies on Cartier watch, hits back at BJP leader
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday hit back at senior BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and clarified with records on the expensive Cartier wristwatch he had submitted in the affidavit to Lokayukta.
Claiming that he is a "transparent person", he asked whether he or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should not have the right to wear a watch of their choice.
His clarification came a day after Narayanaswamy, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, had questioned about the expensive watches.
"Mr Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, please take a moment to review the affidavit I submitted to the Lokayukta," Shivakumar said in a post on 'X', with documents of assets declared with Lokayukta on October 28, which mentions Rolex watch worth Rs 9 lakh and two Cartier watches worth Rs 23,90,246 and Rs 12,06,000 respectively.
The Deputy CM said, "As someone in a position of responsibility, speaking falsehoods for convenience is not only wrong but also undermines your (Narayanaswamy) integrity."
"I am a transparent person and have shared the truth openly. Do I, or even CM Siddaramaiah, not have the right to wear a watch of our choice? I urge you to refrain from making baseless remarks and exercise your constitutional authority wisely and responsibly," he said, adding that all the details are on record, and if the BJP leader wishes, he is welcome to visit the Lokayukta office and verify the affidavit himself.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reportedly wore similar Cartier watches when the former visited the latter's residence for breakfast on December 2, and the opposition BJP has been critical of the expensive watches and has raised questions about it.
Pointing to reports that both the CM and Deputy CM were wearing expensive watches from the same company, Narayanaswamy on Thursday had accused Shivakuamar of not mentioning about the watches purchase to the Election Commission.
He said that Shivakumar's affidavit submitted to the Election Commission only mentioned a Rolex watch worth Rs 9 lakh and a Hublot watch worth Rs 23,90,246, but does not have any mention of a Cartier watch.
"Where have you (Shivakumar) declared a Cartier watch", the BJP leader had questioned while adding that the watch is currently valued at about Rs 47 lakh, including taxes.
Questioning whether the Cartier watch was stolen or purchased, Narayanaswamy accused Shivakumar of lying to the people by stating that he had purchased it using his credit card, and had demanded him to release the documents about the purchase.
The opposition leader, citing that the CM is a "watch lover", pointed out that Siddaramaiah, during his earlier tenure as CM, was embroiled in a controversy over a Hublot watch, which he had subsequently handed over to the Assembly secretariat, declaring it as state property.
Reacting to Shivakumar's post, Narayanaswamy on Friday, while stating that it is a well-known fact that the Deputy CM has the ability to buy and wear watches worth lakhs of rupees, asked him, "As you (Shivakumar), yourself have said, you have a Cartier watch that you bought 7 years ago, why did you not declare it in your 2018 and 2023 election affidavits?"
In a post on 'X', he said he has only put a legitimate question before Shivakumar to seek clarification. "It is up to you (Shivakumar) to answer in the right way or ignore it," he added.
Hitting back at Narayanaswamy, Shivakumar, speaking to reporters, said, anyone could check his Lokayukta affidavit and that he was ready to resign if he had lied. He also challenged the opposition leader whether he was ready to resign if proven wrong.
"Narayanaswamy lacks experience, I have filed (declaration of assets) before Lokayukta and wherever I have to. I have my watch with me. If I'm lying I'm ready to resign today itself. Is he ready? One should have basic common sense and should not speak just for publicity. I behave more responsibly than him. He should learn to work with responsibility. Let him go and see the Lokayukta affidavit that I have filed this year," he said.
