HASSAN: Launching a sharp attack on political opponents, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday stated that “falsehood has become a household deity” for certain leaders, asserting that Goddess Hasanamba would deliver a fitting reply to those spreading lies.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a flower and fruit show alongside the Hasanamba Sports Festival at the City Municipal Council grounds here, Shivakumar appealed to the electorate to back the Congress party across all seven Assembly constituencies in Hassan district in upcoming polls.
“For some people, falsehood has become their household deity. Mother Hasanamba will give a fitting reply to the lies they tell. She will decide what strength to bestow upon whom and what punishment to administer. Nobody should worry unnecessarily; we must continue our work with honesty,” Shivakumar said.
ಇಂದು ಶ್ರೀ ಹಾಸನಾಂಬೆ ಜಾತ್ರಾ ಮಹೋತ್ಸವ–2026ರ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ ಹಾಸನದ ಮಹಾನಗರ ಪಾಲಿಕೆ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿದ್ದ ಫಲಪುಷ್ಪ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಹಾಗೂ ಹಾಸನಾಂಬ ಕ್ರೀಡೋತ್ಸವದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡೆನು. ಇದೇ ವೇಳೆ ವಾಲಿಬಾಲ್ ಆಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಪಟುಗಳನ್ನು ಹುರಿದುಂಬಿಸಿ, ಕುಸ್ತಿ ಪಂದ್ಯಾವಳಿಯನ್ನು ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿದೆ.
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಸನ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಉಸ್ತುವಾರಿ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೆ.ಎಂ. ಶಿವಲಿಂಗೇಗೌಡ, ಸಂಸದರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ ಎಂ. ಪಟೇಲ್, ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್. ಲತಾ ಕುಮಾರಿ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಹಲವು ಗಣ್ಯರು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) November 8, 2026
Expressing gratitude to the people of Karnataka for delivering a decisive mandate of 136 seats to the Congress government, Shivakumar pointed out that the party currently holds only one Assembly constituency in Hassan district.
“Standing in the presence of Hasanamba, I appeal to the people of this district. Support the Congress in all seven constituencies of Hassan and grant us more strength. We will govern in a manner that the entire country admires Karnataka’s administration. Power is given to serve the public, and our government is committed to bringing peace into people’s lives,” he added.
Reaffirming the Siddaramaiah-led government’s commitment to welfare, the Chief Minister emphasised that the state’s five guarantee schemes would continue uninterrupted.
“‘I’ and ‘mine’ is adharma; ‘we’ and ‘ours’ is dharma. Our duty is to treat everyone equally and provide justice,” Shivakumar said, noting that Rs 7,000 crore had recently been transferred to the accounts of women heads under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, alongside the successful rollout of the Shakti free travel scheme, Gruha Jyothi, and Anna Bhagya.
During the event, Shivakumar also shared a lighthearted moment reflecting on the sports festival, remarking: “I played volleyball in my younger days. I have never wrestled, but now I wrestle in politics every day.”
Turning to temple infrastructure, Shivakumar revealed that the state government is actively considering a grant of Rs 20 crore for the comprehensive development of the historic Hassanamba Temple, including the construction of a Rajagopuram and easing space constraints around the shrine under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
#WATCH | Hassan: On Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay’s letter to PM Modi over the Mekedatu dam, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar says, “I hope the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is aware of the law of the land. There is no need to seek permission from anyone. The Supreme Court of India has already given permission for Karnataka to build the dam at its own site, subject to the condition that we release 177 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will also benefit more from the Mekedatu reservoir. It is called a balancing reservoir. We have already identified around 5,400 acres of forest land in other areas, which we will hand over to the Forest Department. That process is already underway. As soon as it is completed, we will submit our application. Karnataka stands united on this issue. Cutting across party lines, all BJP and NDA leaders have agreed to support Karnataka on the Mekedatu issue. I appeal to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to send a team. We will not misuse this opportunity. There is no question of fighting. Those days are over. The Supreme Court has given its verdict. Let us respect the law of the land. Let us work together and share water. Let us strengthen the bonds of unity among ourselves…”
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2026
Addressing reporters on the contentious Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, Shivakumar reiterated that Karnataka does not require Tamil Nadu’s permission, but rather its cooperation.
“People speak in the interest of their own states, but the Mekedatu project will benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka. They need to understand this. Karnataka’s rights have already been upheld by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, and Tamil Nadu’s review petition was rejected,” he said.
He assured that Karnataka remains fully committed to releasing Tamil Nadu’s mandated share of 177 TMC of Cauvery water. “We are not denying Tamil Nadu its water rights. The project will generate 400 MW of power and supply drinking water to Bengaluru. We will submit the necessary applications and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek clearance,” Shivakumar said. (ANI)
