Mangaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar lashed out at Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of shedding crocodile tears during elections. Speaking to reporters at Mangaluru International Airport on Saturday, Shivakumar said, "Tears well up in Kumaraswamy's eyes only during elections. Where were he and his tears when the people of Kanakapura were suffering?"
Responding to Kumaraswamy's claim that he is emotional while Congress functionaries lack compassion, Shivakumar remarked, "The people of Channapatna and Ramanagara elected him, yet he did not come here to hoist state or national flags. Has he done anything for Channapatna? CP Yogeeshwara [Congress candidate for Channapatna bypoll] addressed water issues in the taluk, but Kumaraswamy was busy with ‘adjustment politics' with BJP when he was MLA," he said.
Shivakumar claimed both Kumaraswamy and his wife Anitha represented Channapatna, but failed to deliver. "Yogeeshwara rejoined Congress only because the party has taken up development works in Channapatna. Our govt has gone to doorsteps of people to solve their problems. Over 22,000 people submitted petitions. Congress initiated development works worth hundreds of crores, serving people's needs with five guarantees that became a model for the nation. Many JD(S) members are joining Congress as they have no hope in its leadership," he said.
‘Guarantees uplift people'
Shivakumar brushed aside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the guarantee schemes. In a lengthy social media post, Modi said the schemes were "election-driven", but Shivakumar said: "Our guarantees are uplifting people. When some economically independent women said they would like to pay for bus tickets, I said I would discuss it with the transport minister. There is no question of withdrawing any of the guarantee schemes."
Asked about BJP's social media criticism, he said, "BJP is copying our guarantees in states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and now possibly Maharashtra, but they will not admit to it."
Dismissing allegations that Karnataka's finances are strained by the schemes, Shivakumar said, "Our financial health is stronger than the Union govt's."
On BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's demand to nationalise waqf properties, he said, "I won't respond to comments of mentally unstable people. It was during BJP govt's tenure that the Waqf Board issued notices to farmers. We will not allow any injustice to farmers. We will rectify mistakes made by our officials."