Davanagere, April 2 (IANS) Responding to charges of encouraging family politics while selecting candidates for by-elections, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar questioned whether there is no family politics in the BJP and JD(S).

Responding to media queries in Davanagere on Thursday, when asked about the BJP’s allegation that a single family dominates politics in Davanagere, he said, “Shivashankarappa and his son have been in politics for many years. This exists in all parties.”

It can be noted that the Congress has fielded late Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, in Davanagere. Samarth’s father is Minister for Mining, Geology and Horticulture S.S. Mallikarjun. His mother, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Lok Sabha member from Davanagere. In Bagalkot, late Meti’s son Umesh Meti is contesting.

“Is former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa not in politics along with his two sons? Are there not five or six members from the same family in the Janata Dal?” Shivakumar questioned.

He further stated that the contributions of late Shamanur Shivashankarappa and late H.Y. Meti to Davanagere and Bagalkot districts have been remarkable.

Speaking about the bye-election campaign in Davanagere and Bagalkot Assembly constituencies, Shivakumar said, “Late Shivashankarappa and late Meti are senior leaders of our party. They have served as MLAs, ministers, and MPs. I have toured these two constituencies, and they are more developed than Bengaluru. I am proud of the contributions made by these leaders.”

“All sections of society are happy with their work. I met minority leaders here, and they said that whenever they faced difficulties, Shivashankarappa’s family responded to them. This reflects the trust the people of this constituency have in him. I am very happy to be part of this election campaign,” he added.

“I will also participate in election campaigns in Assam and Kerala. Here, our government is spending ₹60,000 crore every year for the people through guarantee schemes. Members of our guarantee committees have visited every household in the constituency, and people have decided to support these schemes.

In Assam, guarantee schemes are being given only to BJP workers, but we are providing them to all sections of society, irrespective of party affiliation. That is why our president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has announced guarantee schemes in Assam, including land rights, pensions, and other benefits,” he said.

Responding to a question about large-scale guarantee schemes in Karnataka, he said, “We are the creators of guarantee schemes. Today, the price rise has become very severe. From fuel to cooking gas and even pesticides used by farmers, prices have skyrocketed. Due to a shortage of gas, people are returning to using firewood stoves. This is a failure of the Central Government, which is not paying attention to people’s problems. In such a situation, we implemented guarantee schemes to support the people. We are confident that people are satisfied with our schemes.”

On the election scenario in Kerala, he said, “We are confident that the INDIA alliance will win there. People are suffering due to price rise and other issues and are seeking change.”

Responding to former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s remark that there would be a tussle for the Chief Minister’s post after the elections, Shivakumar said, “He may be speaking from his party’s experience. In the Congress, we are united and will abide by the high command’s decision. At the appropriate time, the high command leaders will make a decision and ensure justice to all.”

When asked when he would be called to Delhi by the party high command, he said, “I have no information about that.”

Later, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar campaigned in support of Congress candidate Samarth at Akhtar Raja Circle in Davanagere. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ministers S.S. Mallikarjun and Dr M.C. Sudhakar, MP Prabha Mallikarjun, and MLAs N.S. Harris, Shivalingegowda, Yasir Pathan, Balkis Banu, and others were present.

–IANS

mka/dan