Bengaluru: There are enough people to repair nuts and bolts. The people of Karnataka did not give 135 seats to the ruling party for repairs but to listen to their grievances, said Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, taking a jibe at Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Responding to media queries in Bengaluru, the minister remarked, “It seems like DK Shivakumar is not grounded. Power is making him talk this way. It’s better to remain silent than speak about him.”
On DK Shivakumar’s recent comments about Hindutva, Kumaraswamy said, “That is up to individual beliefs. I won’t criticize. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar himself gave the freedom to express one’s sentiments. What is there to analyze in that?”
“Never Thought I’d Enter Politics”
Reacting to Shivakumar’s remark that politicians’ children enter politics after failing in the film industry, Kumaraswamy said, “Life has its ups and downs. I was once involved in the film industry as a distributor. I never thought I would enter politics; it happened unexpectedly. Everyone faces highs and lows. His statement doesn’t hold much significance.”
On the ongoing legislative session, Kumaraswamy said, “Discussions in the current government are of no use. They announced ₹5,000 crore for Kalyana Karnataka and promised implementation plans, but now another budget has come without any clarity on the previous announcements. The government is giving more importance to political statements than addressing people’s hardships.”
“No Need for Early Delimitation Discussions”
Regarding the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, Kumaraswamy said, “There is no need to discuss this for now. There is still time. In a federal system, no state should face injustice. After independence, Congress ruled continuously, controlling all seats. Now they are facing defeats and trying to find faults. Let’s wait and see the basis on which the delimitation will be carried out.”
