Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 15 May said that Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy relies on attacking the Congress government to remain politically relevant. Speaking to reporters outside his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar dismissed the criticism as a survival tactic rather than substantive opposition.

Shivakumar on the Bidadi Township Row

The remarks came in direct response to Kumaraswamy's criticism of the proposed Bidadi township project, officially designated the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT). Shivakumar pointed out that the project was initiated during Kumaraswamy's own tenure and that his government was merely continuing it. 'We are only continuing the project initiated during his tenure,' he said.

Shivakumar added that he intends to personally meet farmers affected by the project. 'I will fix a date and time and personally meet the farmers. They may hit me twice, tear my clothes, throw stones at me, or raise slogans against me. Can we be afraid of all this? What matters is the future of the people, their children, and their properties,' he said, adding that residents of Bidadi and South Bengaluru would eventually recognise the project's value.

He further challenged Kumaraswamy on the question of land denotification. 'Could Kumaraswamy himself not have denotified the land? Why did he not do it? I am not ready to denotify it. He knows what consequences come from denotification. Yediyurappa knows it, and I know it too,' Shivakumar said.

Sharp Criticism of PM Modi Over Inflation

Shivakumar also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rising prices and inflation, arguing that the Centre has failed to manage the economic fallout of strained international relations. 'Price rise is PM Modi's contribution. He has failed to maintain good relations with other countries and has failed to handle international crises. That is why he is asking people to save electricity and avoid using petrol,' he said.

He questioned the practicality of such appeals. 'How can people live daily life without using fuel? Many may reduce the number of escort vehicles; that is possible. But how can ordinary people stop travelling? People need to travel for survival,' he said. On advisories around gold purchases, Shivakumar asked: 'How is it possible to ask people not to buy gold? Married women need mangalsutras. In such a situation, how can one say people should not buy gold?'

Bhoomi Guarantee and the Sixth Congress Scheme

On the governance front, Shivakumar announced that the Karnataka government has implemented 'Bhoomi Guarantee' as its sixth guarantee scheme, aimed at providing proper property documentation to ordinary citizens. The initiative includes doorstep delivery of e-khatas and facilitates conversion from B-khata to A-khata, addressing a long-standing grievance around land title clarity in the state.

Other Remarks: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and SIR Activity

When asked about the selection of Kerala's new Chief Minister, Shivakumar said he congratulated the appointee Satheesan, noting that the party high command had made its choice from among several eligible senior leaders. He also confirmed that he had conveyed wishes to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay the previous day.

On reports of SIR (Special Intelligence and Reconnaissance) activities entering Karnataka, Shivakumar said the party leadership had been informed. 'All political parties do this work. BJP and Janata Dal are also working to protect their votes,' he said, framing it as a routine inter-party political exercise. The Bidadi township dispute and the broader political sparring between the Congress-led state government and the Janata Dal (Secular)-aligned Kumaraswamy are expected to intensify ahead of local body elections.