Let him fix problems in his party before talking about Congress: Deputy CM lashes out at Ashoka

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday lashed out at BJP leader R Ashoka over his remarks on Bangalore South MP D K Suresh and the Congress government in the state.

“People think differently and Ashoka too thinks differently. The media is speaking from a different perspective. It is left to them. There are lots of problems and issues in the BJP. Let him fix those and then talk about others. Why do they care about our party? First, let him decide the opposition leader, then let’s talk about our party and our CM. We have to keep our promise to the people for 5 years. We have to fulfill our agenda and our promises given to the people”, Shivakumar retorted.

In a press meet held on Monday, the Deputy CM, while reacting to his brother and MP D K Suresh’s hinting at not contesting next year’s Lok Sabha election, said, “D K Suresh is sensible and experienced. There will be new ideas when new leadership is added. He is not uninterested in politics, he is still serving. He won the polls when there was no one with him”.

On the Congress holding a state-wide protest on Tuesday over denial of rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme, Shivakumar claimed that the central government is troubling the state by not selling rice for distribution among the poor. “We are not asking for it for free. There is a system. If there is rice in their godowns, they should give it to us. The FCI agreed to it earlier, but now it is not ready”, he pointed out.

“We are protesting at all the district headquarters. I have instructed all the leaders to participate in the protest. I will be in Bengaluru”, he added.

On whether the Centre will give rice if Congress stages a protest, Shivakumar said, “What Nadda told people was different. There is another big issue. I am speaking with the legal team and then will meet the CM too before revealing the matter. The central government is behaving in an unexpected manner against the state government”.

To a question on the selection of candidates for Legislative Council election, he said, “There is time until tomorrow. There is time for nominations tomorrow. Let’s see”.

Regarding his visit to Delhi on Wednesday, Shivakumar said, “The manifesto should be implemented. We must keep our promises and should be careful. We need to pay attention to our constituency and the Lok Sabha elections. Thus, we have given the responsibility to the district-in-charge ministers, and other leaders have to take responsibility. Good governance should be given. The promises made before the election should be fulfilled. For that, we will meet the high command and we will also meet Rahul Gandhi separately”.

“Everyone wanted a group photo. So we are visiting them. They have given a date for this, the final date will be decided today”, said the Deputy CM, explaining the purpose behind the Delhi visit.