The Hindu : Karnataka News : Political foes in slanging match

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Political foes in slanging match

Special Correspondent

Function passes off peacefully with strong police presence

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

On stage: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (centre), Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna (right) and D.K. Shivakumar, MLA, at the launch of various development schemes at Sathanur on Thursday.

SATHNUR (Ramanagara district): The much publicised political function organised in Sathnur on Thursday in which Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched various development schemes went off peacefully. More than 2,000 police personnel were on hand to maintain security. The fears that the function, in which bitter political rivals — Mr. Kumaraswamy and Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar, Sathnur MLA — shared the dais for the first time might spark trouble proved wrong.

But the meeting resulted in a war of words between the two, who criticised each other in their speeches — the Chief Minister a picture of calm, in contrast to an emotionally charged Mr. Shivakumar.

Drama

At one point Mr. Shivakumar took the audience by surprise when he dramatically alleged that the Chief Minister had questioned the “fidelity” of his mother and asked his mother, who was seated in front of the dais, to “clarify” the issue.

“I have brought my mother to this public function so that he can ask her who my father is,” Mr. Shivakumar said, pointing to her.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said Mr. Shivakumar’s allegations were false. “His mother is like my own, and I am ready to touch her feet and beg her pardon.” He said it was not in his nature to speak disparagingly about women. He, however, refused to apologise to Mr. Shivakumar, saying he had done him no wrong.

‘False propaganda’

Continuing the personalised exchange of charges, Mr. Kumaraswamy accused Mr. Shivakumar of spreading false propaganda that he had slapped senior politician P.G.R. Sindhia. To Mr. Shivakumar’s complaint that as the MLA for Sathnur he should have been consulted before such a programme was organised and he should not be held responsible if any untoward incident occurred during the function, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “I am the Chief Minister of the state. I need not make an application to you seeking your permission to enter your constituency.”

When Mr. Shivakumar quoted from Sanskrit slokas, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “It is not enough if you quote these verses in public functions. What is important is that they should be practised in life.”

Ultimately, both the leaders ended the function on a positive note. While the Chief Minister said he would approve any development schemes suggested by Mr. Shivakumar for Sathnur, the Congress leader said he was willing to cooperate in this regard with the Chief Minister.

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