Who is responsible for stampedes in UP, Maharashtra?: D.K. Shivakumar hits back
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has responded sharply to BJP’s criticism over the recent stampede incident near Chinnaswamy Stadium.
When asked about BJP's demand that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister take responsibility for the incident, Shivakumar retorted, “Stampedes have occurred in railway stations in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In UP, hundreds died in a temple stampede. Who is responsible for those? Did I blame the central government when I was in Ahmedabad just two days ago?”
Speaking at a World Environment Day marathon event organized by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board near Vidhana Soudha, he added, “They have always done politics over corpses. Be it during bandhs or in the Gangadhar murder case, they have a history of this.”
“The government has already taken action in the recent stampede case. An inquiry commission has been appointed. Such incidents have happened across the country, but the Congress party has never politicized tragedies.”
Taking a dig at BJP’s constant targeting of him, he said, “The stronger you are, the more enemies you have. If you’re weak, there are fewer. If you have no strength, you have no enemies. They are scared of us. If the media stands with us, we’ll take oath again at Vidhana Soudha in 2028.”
When asked if he would be the next CM, he replied, “The Congress government will take oath again.”
On being asked about the High Court’s interim stay on the garbage disposal re-tendering process, Shivakumar responded, “How can we keep the city clean if we don’t act? I’ll review the judgment. Previously, there were 89 tenders. The same people formed a group, a mafia. They think they can derail us, but we’ll explain the matter to the court.”
He added, “A group is using PILs and stay orders as intimidation tactics. But this won’t work with our government. We’ll remove the old players and give opportunities to new ones.”
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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 the 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 Chief Minister’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 the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism 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 that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (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.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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