Kumaraswamy backs Banu Mushtaq for Dasara inauguration, objects to Dy CM’s remarks
Bengaluru: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said he had no objection to Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara, diverging from the stand of his party’s ally, the BJP.
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said his objection was to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s remark that Goddess Chamundi was not just the property of Hindus. “I have no objection to choosing Banu Mushtaq. But saying that temples are not just the property of Hindus is arrogance and will cause big damage to the government,” he said, according to a report published by Deccan Herald.
His son and JD(S) youth wing leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said the party’s concern was with Mushtaq’s reservations about Kannadambe and other cultural issues. “We respect her and it is not that she should not inaugurate Dasara. Earlier, poet Nisar Ahmed had inaugurated it. Our only objection is to her stand on Kannadambe and related cultural issues,” he said.
On the Dharmasthala issue, Kumaraswamy criticised the Congress government, terming the SIT probe a “drama.” He alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acted on a complaint by one Dwarakanath under pressure from left-leaning groups.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send a message that "Muslims are being targeted."
"I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi," he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, "People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline."
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of CM’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun. They were also said to have not actively participated in campaigning.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to CM Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the chief minister.
Rejecting allegations of factions within the party, Shivakumar said, "We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?"
"All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress," he added, saying there are no factions within the party and such claims are media-driven.
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
"We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together," he said.
