Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday sought to know the “reason for terrorist attacks in the country during elections. “The chief minister’s statement has drawn a sharp reaction from the opposition BJP.
“What is the reason for terrorist attacks in the country during elections? Siddaramaiah asked on ‘X’ on Wednesday, and he also shared media coverage of his statement on the incident.
Siddaramaiah’s remark came after the completion of the second and final phase of voting in Bihar on Tuesday, and the blast in Delhi, which occurred the day prior to voting. BJP Karnataka unit President B Y Vijayendra termed the statements of Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders “irresponsible, insensitive, and low-level politics.”
On Tuesday, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, the CM, while responding to a question about blasts in the country during elections, had said, “There should be no bomb blasts in the country, innocent people have died.”
They had also said that it has happened during the election and it needs to be looked into.
Replying to a question, Siddaramaiah had also said that there was a possibility of the blast incident having its impact on the Bihar polls. “It will be against the BJP.”
Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday had called Amit Shah the “most incompetent Home Minister” in independent India and demanded his resignation and he alleged an intelligence failure for the blast. Vijayendra, underscoring that the probe into the blast was going on, he said that the statements were not only condemnable, but also alarming.
It is a “tragedy” for the state and a “misfortune” for the country that the Congress leaders are indulging in “low-level politics”, even at a sensitive time when the entire country should speak in one voice.
In a social media post, the BJP leader said, “It is truly alarming that issues like national security, civilian casualties, sacrifices of our soldiers, and national honor are just political weapons for the Congress party.”
The country has not forgotten that even after the horrific Pulwama attack in 2019, Congress leaders made statements that “helped Pakistan’s propaganda,” Vijayendra alleged.
He further alleged that the Chief Minister’s statement now was also a “continuation of the same anti-national legacy” of the Congress. He demanded that the Chief Minister must immediately withdraw his statement and said that like people of Bihar, the people of the state of Karnataka will also give a befitting reply to the Congress party.
“This is not a matter of party politics; for true patriotic Indians, the country is always first, everything else comes later,” the BJP leader added.
What’s wrong if Siddaramaiah continues as CM? asks Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Asserting that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are working together unitedly, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar on Wednesday, questioned what’s wrong if the incumbent continues as the CM. Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, was responding to Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan’s recent statement that Shivakumar can become the CM of the state, after Siddaramaiah completes his five-year term in 2028. There have been talks about the chief minister's change in the state when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the “November revolution”. “Very happy. What’s wrong? The chief minister is there. Let him be. We are not sad. We are working together. We are all united and we continue to be united,” Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question on Khan’s statement. There have been talks within the state’s political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change, citing a “power-sharing” agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Responding to a question on Siddaramaiah’s proposed visit to New Delhi on November 15, Shivakumar said he, too, will be visiting the national capital to participate in a programme of Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal.
“I’m also going. Kapil Sibal is my lawyer. He has represented me at courts both here and in Delhi. He has called me and I’m also going,” he added.
Asked if there will be any discussion with the Congress high command on the much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle during the Delhi visit, Shivakumar said, it is the chief minister’s responsibility.
To a question whether the CM has discussed with him regarding the Cabinet expansion or reshuffle, as he is the state president, Shivakumar said, “He (CM) has not yet discussed with him.”
Stating that he doesn’t believe in exit polls, the Deputy CM expressed confidence that ‘Mahagatbandhan’ comprising Congress and RJD will come to power in Bihar.
“All exit polls haven’t come true. I’m a practical politician...I believe in the people of Bihar,” he said.
Rejecting speculation that the Bihar poll results would have implications on the state politics, Shivakumar said Karnataka is a leader in development, social change, administrative and financial discipline.
Bihar polls were held over two phases on November 6 and 11. The votes will be counted on November 14.
