Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded to BJP leader B.Y. Vijayendra's accusation, calling him the ‘father of corruption’, saying the claims need proof, and that time will answer the questions raised. "We will respond to Vijayendra at a suitable time. He has said that we are the ATM for the high command, but he has to prove it. On what basis has he made this allegation? Time will answer his questions,” Mr. Shivakumar told reporters at the Circuit House in Belagavi on December 19.
Addressing questions about a dinner meeting hosted by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi for legislators, Mr. Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong with such gatherings. "Can anyone say no to a dinner meeting? There is nothing wrong in dinner meetings. We have all come from outside," he added.
When it was pointed out that there were only 4-5 MLAs at the dinner meeting, he said, "Why are you asking this question to me? I have nothing to do with it."
Mr. Shivakumar dismissed speculation about the nature of a dinner meeting that he attended the previous night.
He said, "There was no dinner meeting, or anything. I had gone for dinner with my former DCC president to pay respect. They contributed a lot to Karnataka...Belagavi. So, to honour them, I went along with my friends. There is no other politics."
The BJP mounted an all-out attack on the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka, terming the incumbent government as the most unpopular.
BJP MLA and Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said, "As compared to Siddaramaiah of 2013, Siddaramaiah of 2025 is the worst. This term is the worst in the history of Karnataka. Totally unpopular."
BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Council, alleged that in the tussle between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar over the top post, the State's interests have been ignored.
