From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Shringeri (Chikkamagaluru), Jan 11: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday declared that he does not want anybody to support him to become Chief Minister and will continue to work for party.
Speaking to media persons at the Shringeri helipad in Chikkamagaluru, he quoted a Sanskrit shloka to make it clear that he believes in doing his work and would leave the rewards to god.
Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC President, asked partymen not to make any demands for making him Chief Minister. “I don’t want anybody to exert pressure on my behalf. I don’t want legislators to speak in my support.”
“I am a disciplined soldier of the party. I will discharge my responsibilities and work as directed by the party leaders. I don’t want party workers or any legislators to speak on my behalf. I believe in discharging my duties,” he declared.
Lashing out at the opposition BJP and JDS leaders for terming his visits to temples and Mutts as “temple run,” he made it clear that “I believe in god and religion. I will work for the State and will pray for the well-being of the people and society.
“If my visits to temples is ridiculed as temple run, let those who criticise me close all temples and shrines. If visits to temples become temple run, why do we have Muzrai Department and Wakf Board.” He asked and reiterated that there is one god and he will reward those to work.
When a reporter mentioned that his political life has seen several turns and developments whenever he visits Shringeri, Shivakumar asked his opponents: “Nobody should worry about my future. I don’t need to spend on any turns. People have blessed us and given an opportunity to serve them. We will work and run the government for five years.”
Shivakumar made it clear that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are working in accordance with the dictates of the party. “Whatever others may say, is totally irrelevant,” he declared.
To a question on the significance of his Shringeri visit, he said the Shringeri Mutt pontiff Sri Bharatitheertha Mahaswamy is completing 50 years since becoming the head of the Mutt.
Reciting another Sanskrit shloka, he said the religion will protect those who protect the religion. The Shringeri Swamiji is apolitical and works for the welfare and well-being of society, devotees and culture. The Swamiji blesses all devotees without interfering in politics.
The Deputy Chief Minister asserted that he has great faith and devotion the Shringeri Mutt and its pontiff. The Congress opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had decided to establish a Sanskrit educational centre and the Shringeri Mutt is educating students in Bengaluru. “I have been invited here to participate in the programme,” he said.
Will continue to work for State’s rights
Earlier, before leaving for Chikmagaluru, Shivakumar told reporters near his residence in Bengaluru that the fight for the rightful share of funds to the States will be continued under the slogan, “Our Taxes, Our Rights.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said the Narendra Modi regime was discriminating against the State and has failed to keep its promises to the State with regard to irrigation and urban development grants.
The Chief Minister is studying how to fight against the injustice to Karnataka in the devolution of funds despite the maximum contribution in tax mobilisation. “The government will spell out its strategy in the forthcoming budget proposals,” he said.
Shivakumar wanted all the elected MPs from Karnataka to fight for the State’s rights and rightful share in devolution of funds from the Centre.