KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar ‘openly calling’ BJP MLAs to join Congress, says CM Bommai
The Hindu
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lashed out Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar for “openly calling BJP MLAs” to join the Congress and assuring ticket in the second list of candidates in 100 constituencies.
The Chief Minister also hit out at the Karnataka Congress leaders for “feeding wrong information” on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes in the State.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday lashed out Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar for “openly calling BJP MLAs” to join the Congress and assuring ticket in the second list of candidates in 100 constituencies.
Replying to a question, Mr. Bommai said, “As per my information, Mr Shivakumar is calling our MLAS over phone and guaranteeing them Congress ticket in the second list of 100 constituencies. This shows the Congress situation in Karnataka.”
The Congress has announced the first list of candidates to 124 constituencies. Another list is expected to be announced before April 1, sources in the Congress party said.
The Chief Minister also hit out at the Karnataka Congress leaders for “feeding wrong information” on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes in Karnataka. Unable to digest the social justice done to every community, Mr. Bommai alleged, the Congress leaders have been “instigating people” on the eve of elections and “sponsoring protests.”
The BJP government has not removed Banjaras (Lambanis), Bhovi, Korcha, and Korma from the SC list. But the Congress leaders have been providing wrong information on internal reservation in the SCs and misleading the public, the chief minister claimed.
Some members of the Banjara community staged a protest in Shivamogga on Monday and Tuesday against internal reservation decided by Karnataka Cabinet and sent to the Centre for approval. The BJP has alleged that the Opposition Congress “sponsored” the agitation in the district.