Bengaluru, Feb 19: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today said he has information that former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy was making offers to Congress MLAs to buy votes for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, he said, “We are aware of who H D Kumaraswamy is making phone calls to, what he is speaking and what offers he is making. Our MLAs have given us all the information. We are aware of BJP’s game plan too.”
Asked if the Opposition parties are trying for cross voting, he said, “They would not field the fifth candidate without rhyme or reason. They are obviously trying for cross voting. We will know on the voting day.”
Asked if Congress was working on a counter strategy to secure votes for the Rajya Sabha elections, he said, “We don’t need it. People have elected 136 MLAs from Congress and two Independents are with us. We don’t need to talk about anything else at this point in time.”
Personal bonding with MLAs Somashekar and Gopalaiah
Asked about his association with S T Somashekar and Gopalaiah, he said, “I have a good personal bonding with Somashekar and Gopalaiah. It is not correct to say that Somashekar is repeatedly identifying himself with me. He was with us all these years and he has gone elsewhere only in the last three years. We have done politics together for 35 years.”
Kamalnath will not join BJP
“BJP is spreading lies. Kamalnath is a senior Congress leader and he is not going anywhere. He has worked closely with the Gandhi family for the last 50 years. I know Kamalnath for the last 35 years, he is a man of ideology and values. Why would he leave that ideology? Manish Tiwari too is a senior leader and he won’t join BJP. Congress party will remain united as long as Gandhi family is there and the country will remain united as long as Congress is there,” he said replying to a query.
“If the BJP was strong, why is it trying to attract Congress leaders? They are desperately trying to take in Congress leaders. If they are confident of winning 370 seats, why would they need leaders from other parties?”
Referring to some Ministers refusing to contest the Lok Sabha elections, he said, “The Party will decide who will contest the polls and everyone has to respect the decision. All of us have to work towards winning more seats for the party.”
Referring to BJP’s opposition to change of slogans in schools, he said, “I don’t have much information on that. We are spreading the message of Kuvempu who has promoted the concept of universality. BJP is trying to politicise everything. They are only interested in playing with emotions and feelings rather than livelihoods.”
Drinking water
Replying to a question on drinking water shortage due to drought, he said, “Ground water levels have depleted in 200 taluks and there is shortage of drinking water. We have announced a scheme to provide drinking water to 110 villages around Bengaluru. Our government has also announced using up additional 6 TMC of water for Bengaluru and it will take care of the shortage. Funds have already been given to the DCs of other districts to make provision for drinking water this summer.
Kamal Hassan
Asked if Kamal Hassan joining India bloc will help, he said, “It would certainly help. I welcome all those who join hands with us.”
Pointed to BJP and VHP staging protest against FIR against an MLA, he said, “Our friends in the BJP have taught us a few lessons and we have learnt those lessons.”
