‘Some empty vessels in BJP are making noise, but can’t get funds for Karnataka’: DK Shivakumar

BENGALURU: Hitting out at the BJP leaders in the state, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said they should try to get some funds for the state instead of putting up a show in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “I will send out all the details to them on the grants for the state. They have neither shown interest nor been able to get any funds from the Centre for the state till now. They have not even met the PM regarding funds for the state”.

“I have spoken to the PM regarding funds for Bengaluru city. He has assured us of looking into it. He agrees that Bengaluru is a global city which represents India abroad,” he said. He said that all political parties have contributed to the development of Bengaluru City.

“I won’t say everything happened because of me or my party. It is our responsibility to make Bengaluru the best city. The state’s interest is more important than politics”, he added.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | On PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru, Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, “I will tell him what is required and to be given to Bengaluru… We have not been given sufficient funds. Bengaluru has been neglected. I would like to tell PM Modi that you have… pic.twitter.com/oisNWT4fQ3

— ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

Asked about the Election Commission issuing a notice to Rahul Gandhi, he said, “Let them issue a notice. In the first place, who are they to issue a notice? They have the authority to conduct free and fair elections, but don’t have the power to issue notices. We will respond to it legally”.

The Karnataka CEO had asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to submit documents to inquire into his “vote theft” allegations against the Election Commission of India.

In a letter dated August 10, the Karnataka CEO stated that Rahul Gandhi has claimed to have documents presented during his August 7 press conference from the Election Commission of India records, alleging that a voter, Shakun Rani, voted twice based on data shown by a polling officer.

The polling body further stated that upon preliminary inquiry, Shakun Rani has denied voting twice. The CEO’s office also found that the tick-marked document presented by Rahul Gandhi was not issued by the polling officer, raising questions about the authenticity of the claim.

The Karnataka CEO requested Rahul Gandhi to provide the relevant documents that form the basis of his allegation so that a detailed investigation can be conducted by the Karnataka electoral authorities. (ANI)