Bengaluru, 21 May

Hitting out at the BJP for appropriating religion, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar asked if God and dharma were the properties of the BJP.

Speaking at an event organised to commemorate the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said, “The BJP criticises whatever we do. They criticised us for planning the Cauvery aarti in Sankey Tank. Does the BJP own God and dharma? We can’t stop people from criticising but we will go ahead with our plans.”

Shivakumar said Rajiv Gandhi’s death was an irreplaceable loss.

“The untimely death of Rajiv Gandhi was a huge loss for the country. He had a great deal on the country with his progressive thoughts. He was the one who gave 50 per cent reservation for women in local body elections and he introduced anti-defection laws,” he lauded.

“Rajiv Gandhi brought telecom revolution to India. Sam Pitroda was the brain behind it. He was an epitome of modernity.”

Shivakumar added that Rajiv Gandhi was the reason he was a minister today.

“Once Rajiv Gandhi took me in his car from Channapatna to Bengaluru, during which he discussed the goings on in the State. It was Rajiv Gandhi who instructed Bangarappa to identify youth from all communities and give them representation in the Cabinet. That resulted in me becoming a minister,” he recalled.