“Would Deve Gowda Have Become CM Without Okkaliga Swamijis?” — DK Shivakumar’s Stinging Counter to Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar launched a blistering counterattack against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, questioning the JD(S) leader’s comments on Swamijis and their involvement in political matters.
Speaking to reporters outside his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar struck a sarcastic tone, saying:
“Kumaraswamy says Swamijis shouldn’t speak? Fine… but let him first answer one simple question — would Deve Gowda have ever become Chief Minister without the blessings and support of the senior Swamijis of the Okkaliga Math?”
Shivakumar reminded that religious leaders had stood firmly behind Deve Gowda during crucial political moments:
“When Deve Gowda needed support, didn’t Swamijis take to the streets for him? When Sadananda Gowda faced trouble, were Swamijis silent? They intervened then — why is it suddenly a problem now?”
On Kumaraswamy’s claim that he never sought support from Swamijis, Shivakumar responded:
“Did I ask anyone for support? No. But if Swamijis speak out of affection, should I tell them to keep quiet? I respect every community, not just the one I was born into.”
Also Read: “Let Politicians Do Politics, Religious Heads Must Avoid Taking Sides”: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy Targets Congress, Warns Against Caste Polarisation
Listing the religious leaders who have recently expressed support for him, Shivakumar said:
“Baléhonnur Swamiji, Srisaila Swamiji, Jain Swamijis — many have spoken in my favour because they trust me. Even at Dharmasthala, I received blessings. What is wrong in that?”
His remarks add a new, dramatic twist to the ongoing verbal clash between the Congress and JD(S) leaders, bringing community influence and the role of religious institutions back into Karnataka’s political spotlight.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: “ಒಕ್ಕಲಿಗ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿಗಳ ಬೆಂಬಲ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ದೇವೇಗೌಡರು ಸಿಎಂ ಆಗುತ್ತಿದ್ರಾ?” — ಡಿಕೆ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಕಿಡಿಕಾರಿಕೆ
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