K'taka Deputy CM Shivakumar rubbishes Kumaraswamy's charge on screening porn films in cinema halls
Bengaluru (PTI): Rubbishing JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy's allegations that he screened porn films in cinema halls he once operated, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he would quit politics if the charges are proved.
Asking the former chief minister to go to Kanakapura Assembly segment personally and check with the people about his involvement in any such activity, the Karnataka Congress chief called Kumaraswamy "a frustrated man".
"I feel pity and sorry for Kumaraswamy. Being such a senior leader....why did he keep such a man (Shivakumar) in his cabinet (of Cong-JDS coalition govt)? Let him go visit my constituency. Let him ask the people of Kanakapura, whether I was showing 'blue films'," Shivakumar said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the people of Kanakapura have elected me by a margin of over 1.23 lakh votes in the assembly elections in May this year, which made "history" in Karnataka.
"He (Kumaraswamy) should go and ask the people of Kanakapura, whether Shivakumar has done such things or not. If he proves or if anyone tells me that I have done such types of illegal activities, I'm ready to quit politics. Ask your own party (JDS) workers, not my party. It is very shameful of Mr Kumaraswamy, for his stature being a former chief minister, he should not speak such things," he said, adding that people will laugh at the JD(S) leader.
Kumaraswamy had recently alleged Shivakumar of leading a life by showing 'blue films' at cinema tents (halls) run by him at Doddaalahalli (Shivakumar's native) and nearby Sathanur in Kanakapura.
"People of the state have elected such people today, and the Congress has given power to such people....it's his culture," Kumaraswamy had said in a broadside against Shivakumar.
Questioning as to why the JD(S) leader or his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda did not raise the issue when they contested against him in the past, Shivakumar said the theatre owned by him is named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"It was set up in the memory of Indira ji. The theatre (ownership) is in my name. I was running the business and theatre shows. He (Kumaraswamy) is a frustrated man. When his father contested against me, he could have told it (Shivakumar showing blue films) to the public, or when he contested and lost against me, he could have spoken. Even now, there is an opportunity for him, when he comes for campaign. Ask him to come and speak there (in Kanakapura)," he added.
Meanwhile, noting that Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, is coming to the city to discuss certain party issues, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, said all issues including appointment of party legislators and workers to several state-run boards and corporations will figure in the talks.
"All appointments cannot happen at once. It will be done in two to three stages, we will do it," he said on the much-anticipated exercise.
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Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia dies at 80
New Delhi (PTI): Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia has died after a prolonged illness. He was 80.
Ruia, who co-founded metals-to-technology conglomerate Essar with his brother Ravi, died in Mumbai around 23.55 hrs on November 25, family sources said.
He had returned from the US, where he was undergoing treatment, about a month back.
His mortal remains will be kept at Ruia House from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. The funeral procession will leave from Ruia House at 4 pm towards the Hindu Worli Crematorium.
Shashi, a first-generation entrepreneur industrialist, started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia.
He, along with his brother Ravi, laid the foundation of Essar in 1969 by constructing an outer breakwater at Chennai Port. The group expanded into various sectors, including steel, oil refining, exploration and production, telecom, power, and construction.
He is survived by his wife Manju and two sons Prashant and Anshuman.
