Bengaluru, May 20: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today dismissed allegations of phone tapping saying Kumaraswamy and Revanna were not terrorists to warrant such action.
Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Kumarakrupa, he said, “Government taps phones of terrorists with due processes, there is no need to tap the phones of political leaders in the state. They are casting these allegations for publicity.”
Asked about Kumaraswamy’s statement that the State government was in an ICU for a year, he said, “It is for the people to say whether the government is an ICU or not. We can’t expect praise from them. Our government has given relief to crores of people who were suffering from price rise and inflation due to misgovernance by the previous government.”
I have nothing to do with pen drive
Asked about Kumarswamy’s allegation of his hand in the release of the pen drive, he said, “I have nothing to do with the pen drive case. They won’t get sleep if they don’t mention my name every now and then. Media should also report this responsibly. Kumaraswamy himself has said that one shall reap as one sows. Law will take its course.”
Asked about the release of audio of his alleged telephonic conversation with Devaraje Gowda and Shivarame Gowda, he said, “I have not spoken anything with anyone that is not supposed to be spoken. I am a politician and a lot of people from across party lines come to meet me. They also had asked for time, but I had not given any time. I have not spoken to them even for a minute. I too have political awareness and seriousness of the issue.”
Replying to Kumaraswamy’s statement that he had consoled D K Shivakumar’s mother when he was in jail, he said, “I sympathise and empathise with his situation. I have not spoken about anyone in this case and I will not do so in the future.”
Satisfied with our governance
Asked about Congress government completing one year in office, he said, “We are satisfied with our governance over the last year. We have launched the five Guarantee schemes and other developmental works, which have earned the confidence of the people. We are thankful to the bureaucrats and media for their support. Opposition parties criticise, but we will continue with our good work. Some of the works were pending due to the election, the Chief minister has instructed the officials to prepare for the tender soon.”
