Bengaluru: KPCC President D K Shivakumar has asked, “Minister Munirathna has invited me to join the BJP, saying, only then would I get to be a chief minister. Does this not indicate a lack of leaders to hold the post in the BJP?”

Addressing a press meet near his residence in Sadashivanagar in the city on Wednesday, Shivakumar reportedly said, “Munirathna asked me to join the BJP, saying I could not become a chief minister as long as I was in the Congress. I am truly delighted by Munirathna’s invite, but the minister’s words also prove that the BJP completely lacks worth becoming a chief minister.”

The Congress state president, referring to the withdrawn controversial order of the DDPI for all pre-university colleges in Bangalore Rural district to send their students to attend the program of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “We have no objection to the Prime Minister visiting the state, but the order demanding colleges to send students to attend the event is certainly reprehensible.”

He asked, “Is the BJP in such a pathetic condition as to be unable to get people to attend a program its holds? We would only be glad to watch people come to your event, drawn by the success of your double-engine government in three years. If students are ordered to attend the event, do we understand this to be an educational event?”

When asked about the recent statement by Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi on the term ‘Hindu’ that is drawing severe criticism, Shivakumar said, “Jarkiholi has said that there are documents that prove his words to be true, but I am unaware of any such document. Senior Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Surjewala and I have clarified that our religion and culture should not be treated with contempt – we do not withdraw this statement. We certainly oppose Jarkiholi’s statement.”

The KPCC president added, “We condemn the words of Satish Jarkiholi regardless of the political benefits it might give the BJP.”

Speaking of his visit to Badami, the leader said that it was his personal matter. “It is true that I went to Bagalkot district, but I do not wish to speak about the reasons as they were purely personal,” Shivakumar insisted.

When a reporter asked the president if the decision at Udaipur to focus on youth is indeed drawing more youngsters, Shivakumar is said to have suggested to the scribe to apply too, adding, “We will support you whole-heartedly.

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New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the "spectacular results".

The Left parties suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, held by them for 45 years, as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead.

Reacting to the civic body results, the prime minister said it is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of karyakartas (workers) in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today's result became a reality.

"Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala's politics," he wrote on 'X'.

PM Modi said the people are certain that the development aspirations of Kerala can only be addressed by the BJP. "Our Party will work towards this vibrant city's growth and boost 'Ease of Living' for the people," he said with the hashtag #VikasitaThiruvananthapuram.

The prime minister said the BJP karyakartas are the strength of the party, and everyone is proud of them.

"My gratitude to all hardworking BJP karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation," he said.