BJP interested in politics, not discussing public issues during legislature session: DK Shivakumar
Hubballi (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday hit out at the opposition BJP, accusing it of indulging in "politics" and not showing any interest in discussing issues concerning the state and its people, during the ongoing winter session of legislature in Belagavi.
He claimed that the saffron party in the state was a divided house, and hence they were not interested on discussing real issues.
"BJP is not interested in any discussion, what to do?....they are not interested in anything else other than doing politics. There is no unity among them, so they are doing such things," Shivakumar told reporters here in response to a question about issues relating to north Karnataka not being discussed in the legislature session so far.
The session that began on December 9 will continue during the coming week too.
Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, has been hosting legislature sessions once a year since 2006.
Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, modeled on the Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat in Bengaluru, was built as an assertion that Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka. Maharashtra claims Belagavi and some nearby places belong to it.
To a question whether irrigation issues relating to north Karnataka be discussed during the session, Shivakumar, who is also the Water Resources Minister, said the government was ready for discussion on any issue.
Asked about Mahadayi project, the Deputy CM said, "I had recently met union forest minister (Bhupender Yadav) and union minister Pralhad Joshi regarding this... we have called tenders and things are ready, and as soon as we get permission (from Centre), we will start the work."
Joshi and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar should take the responsibility to obtain permissions, he said. "We are somewhat confident about getting permissions."
The Mahadayi project is a drinking water initiative that aims to divert water from the Mahadayi river to drought-hit districts in north Karnataka.
Asked why no politicians have been named in the FIR registered in connection with COVID-19 scam that allegedly took place during previous BJP regime, Shivakumar said, "We have not said anything on BJP leaders, actions are being taken based on Justice Michael D' Cunha Commission report. Based on the recommendations made in the report FIR has been registered, let's see what happens."
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Dragging Gaurav's family, children into 'Pak link' allegation by Assam CM wrong politics: Priyanka
Guwahati (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links, asserting that dragging his family and children into it is "wrong politics".
After paying homage to Zubeen Garg at his cremation ground 'Zubeen Khetra' at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Vadra said the singer was "above politics" and spread the message of love throughout his life.
"There are two types of leaders in politics -- one who does positive politics and the other who does polarisation. Gaurav Gogoi is doing the politics of love," she said when asked about Sarma's repeated attacks on the Assam Congress chief over alleged Pakistan links.
Vadra asserted that Gogoi is "a positive person, and wants to bring positivity in politics".
"That is why such attacks on him are taking place. People of Assam understand this. But the attacks on Gaurav and his family are the wrong politics. Nobody should attack the family and children (of a political leader)," Vadra said.
Instead of such politics, the Assam CM should "talk about the youth and women of the state, who are looking for jobs", the Wayanad MP said.
"You are seeing how much corruption is taking place. It is just a betrayal of the people of the state," she told reporters.
Talking about her visit to 'Zubeen Khetra' in the morning, Vadra said that she went to the cremation ground to pay her respect to the singer and not do any politics over it.
"Zubeen Garg was above politics. His cremation ground should be a sacred place and should not be used for politics," she added.
VIDEO | Guwahati: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) says, "When we contest elections and talk about leadership in politics, there are two kinds of leaders. One is a positive leader — someone with a positive mindset. Such leaders tell you what they want to do for… pic.twitter.com/52z4HwRitg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2026
