Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hits out at Vijay’s remarks, releases Congress manifesto

D.K. Shivakumar criticizes Vijay's remarks while unveiling Congress' vision manifesto for Tamil Nadu, focusing on inclusive growth and development.

Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday came down heavily on Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay, referring to him as an “immature politician.”

Mr. Shivakumar’s comments came against the backdrop of Mr. Vijay’s claim at a public meeting in Tirunelveli on Wednesday that a section of the Congress party had been “purchased” by the DMK, while the “real Congress” was with the TVK.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Mr. Shivakumar said: “Mr. Vijay is an immature politician. He might have the Tamil Maanila Congress with him. That’s all. The Indian National Congress is not with him. The Indian National Congress is with the DMK.”

Earlier, Mr. Shivakumar released the Congress party’s manifesto at Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC).

The first copy was received by AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar. TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai and Lok Sabha Member and manifesto committee chairman Karti P. Chidambaram were among the other senior leaders present.

Mr. Shivakumar said: “The TNCC manifesto is a vision document to give strength to every section of society, particularly the youth, farmers, and the depressed classes. By working jointly with the government, we have made the State stronger.”