Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday accused BJP leaders of neglecting Bengaluru’s development, questioning what they had achieved for the city during their tenure.

"I am not a technical expert, and neither is Tejasvi Surya"

Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office on Queens Road, Shivakumar said, “BJP leaders have no real concern for Bengaluru’s growth. What did they do for the city when they were in power?”

Responding to criticism over the proposed tunnel road project, he remarked, “I am not a technical expert, and neither is Tejasvi Surya. That’s why a dedicated team of technical experts is handling the matter.”

Shivakumar further commented on BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s remarks about implementing the suburban rail project: “Let him do it; there’s nothing wrong with that. He should ensure that the required funds come from the central government. Our own Somanna is the Union Railway Minister—let them seek his help. If they want to fight for Bengaluru, let them. Who is stopping them?”

The Deputy CM noted that apart from Tejasvi Surya and R. Ashoka, no other BJP leader had spoken up about the city’s issues. “We are doing our work. People have seen our commitment and are supporting our efforts. I am confident our projects will be implemented,” he added.

When asked about discussions within the Congress over a possible change of Chief Minister and demands for a Dalit CM, Shivakumar said, “There’s no need to tire ourselves by making unnecessary comments.”

On Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Karnataka on November 20 to lay the foundation stone for new Congress offices, he clarified, “The date has not been finalized yet. I have submitted a proposal, and land documents are being prepared. Once my report is sent, the high command will decide the date.”

He also revealed that the Congress leadership has sought a detailed report on which ministers, MPs, and district presidents have shown interest in the construction of party offices. “I am preparing that report,” he said.

Responding to BJP leader B. Sriramulu’s claim that ₹300 crore in unaccounted funds were sent to Bihar for election purposes, Shivakumar quipped, “It was the same money Shriramulu gave to the Congress party that we sent to Bihar.”

Regarding the selection of candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council elections from the graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies, Shivakumar said that discussions were underway. “Each constituency has about five to six aspirants. We’ll finalize the candidates within 8–10 days after consulting ministers and MLAs from the respective districts,” he added.

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Ranipet (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being "controlled" by US President Donald Trump and that the PM wanted the AIADMK to capture power so that he could control Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Also, he claimed that the prime minister "handed out our energy security and gave away our data, besides selling our farmers and small and medium industries."

"You saw yesterday (in Parliament) the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi completely lacking confidence," Rahul said on the delimitation bill.

"He (PM) could not even face the opposition. He was sitting sideways. And the reason is, he is controlled by the United States. He signed the India-US deal that sold our country out," Rahul said while addressing an election rally here.

He further said, "Today, if Donald Trump tells Modi to jump, Modi jumps. If Donald Trump tells Modi to lie down, Modi lies down. Why? Because Donald Trump controls Modi fully. How does he control him? He controls through the Epstein files. He controls him because he knows Modi's financial systems and understands Modi's link with Adani," the Congress leader alleged.

Just as he was being controlled by Trump, Modi wanted to do the same to the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. "That is why he wants to put AIADMK in power in TN," Rahul said.

The Union government had rejected references to PM Modi in the latest Jeffrey Epstein case files, describing it as “little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal that deserves to be dismissed with the utmost contempt”.