‘BJP needs Dharmasthala for politics’: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday lashed out at the BJP, saying the party has no love for Dharmasthala but was only interested in exploiting the issue for political gains.

“The BJP did not say a word when the ‘maskman’ lodged a complaint, but now they are trying to play politics over it. They think that Hinduism is their private property and they need Dharmasthala only for political gains,” he said while speaking to reporters at his Sadashiva Nagar residence.

When asked about the BJP’s visit to Dharmasthala, he said, “Why did the BJP not say anything when the masked man lodged a complaint. Why did they not say anything when we formed the SIT? We are interested in protecting the honour of Dharmasthala; we don’t want politics. The culprits must be punished.”

Moreover, when asked about the demand for narco analysis for the maskman, Shivakumar said, “The demand is not wrong. But why is the BJP talking like this after welcoming the formation of the SIT? The Investigative officials will decide where to dig; we won’t interfere in the investigation.”

When the reporters asked about BJP leaders welcoming his statement on conspiracy in the Dharmasthala case, he said, “I said it from my personal experience. But I do not want to interfere in the investigation. Our leaders raised their voice in favour of Dharmasthala much earlier than the BJP leaders. Our CM will not let injustice in this case. The law will take its own course. Action will be taken against the culprits.”

When asked if the digging of identified points would stop, he said, “We will not interfere in the investigation, and I don’t know the investigating officials. The Home Minister is handling this.”

On the passing away of Sri Chandrashekara Swamiji of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mutt, he said, “He was a very senior seer and he has been doing a yeoman service. May his soul rest in peace.”

On the seer supporting DK Shivakumar for the CM’s post, he said, “He had blessed me, I have great respect for him.” (ANI)