Shivamogga, Feb 9 (IANS): Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar stated on Thursday in Shivamogga that he would give a piece of mind to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with sending notice to his daughter in a disproportionate assets case.

"The CBI has much bigger work to do rather than sending a notice seeking fees and details of the education of my daughter. They need information regarding her education fees. I will write a letter recommending the CBI to look into other grave matters instead of doing this.

"The Central government is indulging in cheap politics," he said.

He confirmed that he had also got a notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). "They have asked me to be present for the probe on February 22," he said.

Shivakumar slammed the ruling BJP government on plans to reduce the age for the purchase of liquor from 21 years to 18 years. "The decision was dropped after the opposition from the religious seers. One can know the mindset of the ruling BJP in the state," he stated.

Bommai can name Shivamogga airport after anybody, first pay compensation to land losers

KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was free to recommend naming of Shivamogga airport after his predecessor B S Yediyurappa or anybody else but first the State Government must pay compensation to people who lost their lands.

The KPCC Chief, who has arrived in Shivamogga district en route to Chitradurga on the party’s Prajadhwani yatra told media persons in Thirthahalli on Thursday that it is for BJP and the Centre to decide on the naming of the airport.

“If they want to honour Yediyurappa by naming the Shivamogga airport after him despite forcing him to step down, it is up to BJP to decide. We have no objections. All BJP leaders must first ensure that the farmers who lost their lands are paid compensation. How long can they wait,’’ he asked.

Shivakumar reiterated the party’s stand that the prestigious Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Ltd (VISL), started by the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Nalvadi Krishnaraya Wodeyar at the instance of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visveswaraya in Bhadravathy, must be revived.

“If the BJP is unable to revive the factory after we form the government,’’ he said and pointed out that the Chief Minister should not fool the employees by holding out empty promises. “Let the BJP government infuse Rs 6,000 crore to revive the factory as promised by them,’’ he said.

Answering questions on BJP’s charge that the Congress party has no capable leaders, Shivakumar declared that the party has enough number of leaders.

“We have decided to fight the elections under collective leadership. Unlike BJP, which had initially declared that the party will fight the elections under Bommai’s leadership, and now going to polls to win on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,’’ the Congress is capable of winning on its own.

The KPCC Chief asked the BJP high command to explain why Yediyurappa was allowed to lead the elections in 2018 despite touching their 75 year age and allowed him to grab power through operation kamala and later pulling him down.

“We have seen how Yediyurappa was forced to cry while announcing his decision to resign and now the BJP wants him to lead the election campaign again when he is past 80. Let them first explain why Yediyurappa was humiliated,’’ he said.

Shivakumar attacked ED for sending him a notice again on the contribution made to Young India despite providing all answers in the past. Now, the CBI has started probing how my daughter paid her college fees. Is the CBI so jobless as to check the college fees of my daughter, he said and mentioned that he is thinking of writing to CBI and give some suggestions to go about its work.

The KPCC Chief said he is not worried about the proposed Delhi visit of Ramesh Jarakiholi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a CBI probe into the alleged sex video that resulted in his resignation. "Let them do what they want and probe. There should be an inquiry into his court affidavit too,’’ he said and alleged that Ramesh Jarakiholi and former minister K S Eshwarappa have lost their mental balance and have started abusing.

With Inputs From Our Special Correspondent