New Delhi, July 9: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today hit out at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy for ‘empty talk’ and lack of efforts in getting funds from the Centre for state projects.
“Kumaraswamy has been doing a lot of empty talk, let him get funds first,” he said while addressing a press conference at Karnataka Bhawan here. He was replying to a reporter who asked if there was a war between him and Kumaraswamy for claiming credit for the tunnel project in Bengaluru in view latter’s meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the same project.
Cabinet expansion
Asked if the Chief Minister was in Delhi to discuss Cabinet expansion, he said, “There has been no discussion on Cabinet expansion at present. We have come here to discuss developmental works in the state. Some road widening projects in Bengaluru need Defence lands and we are meeting the Defence minister in that regard.”
Asked about nominations for the four MLC seats, he said it would be completed before the Assembly session and added that one seat would be given to the media.
Asked if he met Sonia Gandhi, he said, “I did not meet Sonia Gandhi but I have asked for time from senior leaders. I can’t meet any one if I don’t get an appointment. Rahul Gandhi has left for Patna.”
Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s protest march being stopped in Patna, he said, “Supressing free speech of the Opposition parties is the only job of this government. Rahul Gandhi has gone to protect the rights of voters.”
Asked about language row in Maharashtra, he said, “It is an internal matter of that state, I don’t have any comments on that. We give priority for Kannada and English.”
Asked about the tunnel project, he said, “A global tender would be called in a couple of days. This project can’t be done without a toll. Airport road and Nice road in the city too have tolls.”
Replying to a query on AICC General Secretary Surjewala’s visit to the state, he said, “He is in the state to discuss party organisational issues, there is no politics in it.”
