Have desire that elder brother Shivakumar becomes CM, but seat is not vacant: DK Suresh
Bengaluru, Jul 3 (PTI): Congress leader and former MP D K Suresh on Thursday said he has a desire that his elder brother and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar becomes the CM of Karnataka, but the seat is not vacant for now.
He said time has to come for everything, along with fate, the blessings of God and people.
"I have a desire that my elder brother becomes CM one day, because he has worked loyally for the party. People too in several parts of the state have supported the Congress party keeping faith that Shivakumar will get an opportunity," Suresh said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I have a desire that he becomes CM, but the seat is not vacant now. What to do?"
Asked if he wants Shivakumar to become CM in the current government's tenure, he said, "I'm too small to comment on it now. It is to be decided by the party high command. As of now Siddaramaiah is our leader and the chief minister from the party."
With Siddaramaiah asserting that he will be the CM of Karnataka for a full five-year term, Shivakumar on Wednesday said he has no objection and that he will stand by and support the former.
Indicating that he had no option, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President said, he will fulfill the directions of the Congress high command.
To a question about Siddaramaiah's statement that he will be CM for 5 years, Suresh said, "What's wrong in it? What's wrong in a person who is the CM saying that he will continue in the post? Congress leadership and the legislature party decided and made him CM and he is running the administration and government is functioning. Why discussion now?"
Regarding Shivakumar's statement that he will support Siddaramaiah as he has "no option", he said, he (Shivakumar) has been saying this since the beginning, and has repeated the same.
"As a disciplined soldier of the Congress, he (Shivakumar) has always said that he is committed to the party's decision. As a state president of the party, maintaining the party discipline and abiding by it, is his duty, so he has given clarity on things," he added.
Asked if he meant this was a compromise on part of Shivakumar, Suresh said no. The party and leadership's orders have to be accepted.
Replying to a question, he said, "He still has hopes and there will be a reward some day (for Shivakumar)."
Stating that Shivakumar's "no option" comments cannot be seen as "helplessness", Suresh said, "It is respecting the party leadership, being someone who is holding a responsible position in the organisation."
Meanwhile, Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain, who has been served a show cause notice by the party for making statements that Shivakumar should become the CM, said, "....wait and watch."
He was responding to a question about whether Shivakumar had become helpless.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
