Belagavi: Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP, stating that the party should be protesting against the Union Government, which he said has consistently “inflicted injustice” on Karnataka across multiple sectors.
Speaking to reporters outside the Belagavi Circuit House, he said the BJP’s protest targeting the State Government is “misplaced and politically motivated.”
Responding to questions on the BJP’s statewide protest, Shivakumar said:
“Whether it is sugarcane, maize, sugar prices, ethanol policy—every injustice has come from the Central Government. The Centre has failed to release Karnataka’s rightful grants. The Mahadayi dispute is still unresolved because the Centre has not taken a decision. Even in the Mekedatu project, though we secured a favourable position in court, those who promised clearance in one day have done nothing.”
He further criticised the delay in releasing funds for irrigation projects:
“The Union Government announced ₹5,400 crore for the Upper Bhadra Project in their Budget, but not a single rupee has been released. For the Krishna Upper Dandé Project, our government has approved ₹76,000 crore compensation for land-losing farmers, yet the Centre has not issued the required Gazette notification.”
Shivakumar added that the BJP must therefore “protest where the real injustice originates.”
“BJP Has No Self-Respect”
Shivakumar accused BJP MPs of failing to take up Karnataka’s concerns with the Centre:
“Not one BJP MP has spoken to the Union Government on these issues. The BJP today has no self-respect.”
On All-Party Delegation Meeting
On questions regarding the postponed all-party delegation meeting, he clarified:
“We had scheduled a meeting for December 8. The opposition wrote to us citing lack of time. We are ready to hold the meeting on whichever day they prefer.”
“No Differences Between the CM and Me”
When asked about comments made by Yathindra (son of CM Siddaramaiah) that Siddaramaiah would remain Chief Minister for five years, Shivakumar dismissed talk of internal conflict:
“There is no difference of opinion between the Chief Minister and me. There were no issues earlier, none now, and none in the future. I am not aware of the context of his statement; I will speak to him.”
On Whether the High Command Has Called Him
To a question about the Congress High Command summoning him, he responded:
“I have no information. And even if they discussed something with me, I will not reveal it to the media.”
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: “ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಿರುವುದು ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ವಿರುದ್ಧವೇ”: ಡಿಸಿಎಂ ಡಿ.ಕೆ. ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ತಿರುಗೇಟು; “ನನ್ನ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿಎಂ ನಡುವೆ ಯಾವ ಗೊಂದಲವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ”
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