DK Shivakumar said, “They can put us in jail and feel happy, that’s all. Let them do it.”
Bangalore:
Claiming to have been targeted by the ruling BJP, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Saturday alleged that there would be no end to the harassment he faced in the wake of the recent Mekedatu padyatra.
He also hit out at the administration for registering cases against him and other Congress leaders for taking out the march in violation of the COVID-19 restrictions. He said no such action was taken against BJP leaders for going against the restrictions.
“Mekedatu or not, doing various experiments on me, this is going on. My daughter was telling me that they have started issuing notices to one of our schools – harassment, there is no end to it We have to live and die with it,” Mr. Shivakumar said in response to a question whether he thinks he will be targeted by the ruling BJP after the Mekedatu padayatra.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said cases were registered against him and other Congress leaders every day during the march, while no such action was taken against BJP leaders, including the chief minister, who violated the COVID restrictions.
“They can put us in jail and feel happy, that’s all. They… (I am their) first objective,” he said in response to a question whether there was a conspiracy to eliminate him politically.
Asked whether efforts were being made to keep him busy with Income Tax and ED-related matters as elections approach, the KPCC chief said he would discuss the issue with evidence in a few days.
He said, “… Not now, after a few days, with some evidence I will speak… Time is coming to inform people about it. I will put things in front of them with papers.”
With limited options amid a surge in COVID cases, restrictions on movement by the government and observations by the High Court, the Karnataka Congress on Thursday temporarily halted its padyatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru on its fifth day.
Police have registered four FIRs against Congress leaders including Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah for taking out a march defying the COVID-19 restrictions.
Asking why cases were not registered against BJP leaders violating COVID restrictions, Mr. Shivakumar said, “We will not leave, we will approach the court, will also write to the government, cases against violators.” Will ask to register.” He clarified that Congress will target bureaucrats and police officers for not taking action against BJP leaders.
Further stating that the Congress will resume its padyatra once the Covid restrictions are eased, Mr. Shivakumar said, “If they (government) allow 10 people, then 10 people will walk, if they allow 100. denge, toh 100 chalenge… To do as we have committed.” Responding to another question, Mr. Shivakumar said the government should answer to Medha Patkar and others who have raised environmental and social concerns about the Mekedatu project.
“The government is there to answer him, why should I… She (Patkar) is a senior woman, we respect her, Bommai (Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai) is the right person to answer,” he said.
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