Bengaluru, 13 September

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday accused the BJP of using Hindutva for political purposes as some members of the saffron party joined the Congress. 

Speaking at the Congress office in Bengaluru, Shivakumar alleged that money and materials donated for the Ram Temple were misused

“They took the money meant for Rama and misappropriated it. You sent bricks from here, you sent money, and they misused it,” Shivakumar said. “Some people do this theatrically in the name of religion… We will not do that.”

Shivakumar said Congress' welfare schemes were meant for people across communities and accused the BJP of unnecessarily criticising the party's five guarantees.

“Are only Congress people getting the benefit of the five guarantees?” he asked.

Alleging that the BJP criticises the guarantees, he said that states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar “and now (US President Donald) Trump” have copied the Congress’ welfare measures. 

“This is the strength of the Congress party. The entire world is watching our Constitution today,” he added.

He said the Congress government was providing free electricity to 1.64 crore families, Gruha Lakshmi assistance to 1.21 crore women and Anna Bhagya benefits to 4.40 crore people.

Shivakumar said Congress' approach was based on humanity and not religious or caste divisions.

“We are Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Vokkaligas, Lingayats, Kurubas, Brahmins and others. We are all one. That is the difference between them (BJP) and us,” he said.

Attacking the Ujjwala scheme, Shivakumar said the BJP-led government had projected it as a measure to reduce the burden on poor women but LPG prices had subsequently risen.

“They put the Prime Minister's photographs everywhere, including at petrol pumps. What happened? The price went from Rs 400 to Rs 1,200,” he said.

ATTACKS HDK ON PENDRIVE 

Shivakumar also hit out at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy over his remarks that he would reveal a subject capable of creating “turmoil” in the country after returning to Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy had told reporters in Delhi that he would return to the State after 10 days and disclose what was happening in Karnataka. “He says a bomb is going to fall from Delhi, the country is going to be thrown into chaos. It has already become chaotic, hasn't it?”

Shivakumar also targeted former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence following his conviction in a rape case. An electronic device was allegedly found in his possession, along with explicit videos on an illegally sourced phone. 

“Don't tell me about the pen drive news. Let him (Kumaraswamy) do whatever he want. Let him even make news about the Central Jail. Leave that to him,” Shivakumar said.