Bengaluru, July 16 (IANS) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, on Thursday hit back at D.K. Shivakumar over his recent remarks about being sent to jail, alleging that the Karnataka Chief Minister was attempting to gain public sympathy amid the controversy surrounding the proposed Bidadi township project.

It can be noted that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday stated, “Jail is not new for me, and some people have not been able to digest the fact that I have become Chief Minister,” as he launched a sharp attack on Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda amid the controversy surrounding the proposed Bidadi Township Project.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Joshi said nobody was trying to send Shivakumar to prison and asserted that any individual found guilty of wrongdoing or corruption would have to face the consequences of the law.

“D.K. Shivakumar will not be sent to jail by anyone. If he goes to jail for any wrongdoing or corruption committed by him, nobody can prevent it. Why is he talking about jail now? Have you done something wrong? This appears to be an attempt to gain sympathy,” Joshi said.

Joshi said the Chief Minister should remember that he is not an autocrat or a monarch.

“Being the Chief Minister does not make one a dictator or the king of the State. He must understand that and conduct himself accordingly,” he said, while urging CM Shivakumar to respond to corruption allegations raised by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Stepping up his attack on the proposed township project, Joshi said the State government should persuade farmers rather than attempt to acquire their land forcibly.

“Instead of taking away farmers’ land and developing a township, the government should convince them. Why did the Chief Minister not speak to the farmers before issuing notifications? Many people offered suggestions, but why were they ignored?” he asked.

Questioning the timing of the project, Joshi said, “If Siddaramaiah did not show interest in the township during his three years as Chief Minister, why has it suddenly become a priority now? Does that indicate that some kind of deal has taken place? Why is the Chief Minister not answering these questions?”

He further alleged that Shivakumar had failed to address allegations made by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and had instead reacted angrily.

“A person becomes agitated when he cannot justify his actions,” Joshi remarked.

The Union Minister also questioned the whereabouts of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

“The people of the country deserve to know where Rahul Gandhi has been for the last 25 days. Whenever we travel abroad, we disclose it publicly. I went to Davos, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju went to Qatar. Why doesn’t Congress tell the people where Rahul Gandhi is and what he is doing?” Joshi asked.

Commenting on Karnataka’s drought concerns and the State government’s letter to the Centre seeking assistance, Joshi accused the Congress of politicizing the issue.

“The State government should first conduct a proper assessment of rainfall and drought conditions and submit its findings to the Centre.

–IANS

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