The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): As Karnataka gears up for the Lok Sabha polls, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress leader D K Shivakumar confidently states that the Congress party holds a strong position, primarily due to the perceived lack of a ‘Modi wave’ within the state. In an exclusive interview, Shivakumar criticized the BJP’s tenure, highlighting the failure to meet promises and the absence of significant contributions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state over the past decade.
Shivakumar pointed out the financial imbalance, noting that despite Karnataka’s substantial tax contributions to the central government, it has received minimal support in return, particularly during the state’s severe drought affecting the majority of its taluks.
In response to the BJP’s strategy of fielding noted cardiologist Dr. C N Manjunath against his brother, MP D K Suresh, in the Bengaluru Rural constituency, Shivakumar remains undeterred, forecasting a resounding victory for Congress by a margin exceeding two lakh votes.
He also commented on the BJP-JD(S) alliance, predicting its failure and asserting that the electorate would reject their coalition, specifically forecasting defeats for JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) candidates.
Addressing corruption allegations made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shivakumar dismissed them as political tactics, asserting his innocence and the baseless nature of the claims against him.
Shivakumar further refuted any internal discord within the Congress regarding Lok Sabha ticket distributions, contrasting it with turmoil within the BJP, which he claims is facing internal conflict and candidate changes in about ten seats, indicative of their anticipated electoral challenges.
This assertion by Shivakumar not only reflects the competitive political landscape in Karnataka but also underscores the strategic positioning and confidence of the Congress party ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.