Remarks by DyCM DK Shivakumar create discomfort for Congress in Karnataka

“If it had been me, I would not have cowered. I would have bulldozed through, come what may. Even now, I will take certain decisions. Let the people oppose and stage protests, I will keep moving,” said Shivakumar.

This steel flyover project was announced by Siddaramaiah in the 2014-15 fiscal budget. The then Congress government withdrew the project after severe criticism and protests from the people of Bengaluru.

The BJP’s IT Cell in-charge Amit Malviya took a dig at Shivakumar’s statement and tweeted: “It has not even been a few months and internecine war, between the two factions, threatens to paralyse the Karnataka government. [sic]”

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Still sore over CM post snub?

Shivakumar was on Wednesday referring to a proposal to build a 6.7-km-long steel flyover from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal Junction in Bengaluru at a cost of ₹1,761 crore.

This project was aimed to improve connectivity to the Bengaluru International Airport and to bring relief from traffic congestion.

As many as 800 trees would have been felled if the steel flyover was to be built. The then government bowed down to the criticism and pressure from activists, the public, and environmentalists, and shelved the project.

In another statement, Shivakumar said: “Whoever constructed this building is not here, but we are sitting here and doing darbar. Likewise, someone works hard, but someone else is enjoying the privilege of it. Life is like that.”

This statement gave an indication that Shivakumar was unhappy about not getting the chief minister’s post in spite of the Congress’ stellar performance under his headship in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls.

It may also be recalled that Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh, brother of Shivakumar, recently indulged in a verbal war with ministers MB Patil and Dr HC Mahadevappa over the chief minister’s post.

Shivakumar also indicated on Wednesday that he was still unhappy with the Congress high command for not honouring him with a “proper gift” for his efforts that won the party the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls.

Also read: Karnataka BJP infighting persists well after Assembly poll debacle

Amit Malviya takes a dig

BJP IT Cell in-charge Amit Malviya was quick to take a dig at Karnataka’s Congress government over Shivakumar’s statement.

Basically, D K Shivkumar is telling that Siddaramaiah is no good as an administrator or even as Chief Minister. It has not even been a few months and internecine war, between the two factions, threatens to paralyse the Karnataka Govt.

5 Guarantees have also not been implemented. https://t.co/T0dqi9VAFs

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 28, 2023

Malviya tweeted, “Basically, DK Shivkumar is telling that Siddaramaiah is no good as an administrator or even as Chief Minister. [sic]”

He added: “It has not even been a few months and internecine war, between the two factions, threatens to paralyse the Karnataka Govt. Five Guarantees have also not been implemented. [sic]”

Netizens criticise DyCM

Many netizens also criticised Shivakumar for his a statement that he would have gone ahead with the steel flyover project.

They have said it was an undemocratic and terrible idea.

One Prapthi M tweeted: “Mr Siddaramaiah didn’t get scared, he listened to his people, Mr Shivakumar. It is how democracies are supposed to function. [sic]”

Mr Siddaramaiah didn’t get “scared”, he listened to his people, Mr Shivakumar. It is how democracies are supposed to function. The steel flyover you are referring to comes at a cost of 800 trees and the city’s residents overwhelmingly chose to reject it.https://t.co/QVrtj3igc8

— Prapthi (@prapthi_m) June 28, 2023

The individual also said: “The steel flyover you are referring to comes at a cost of 800 trees and the city’s residents overwhelmingly chose to reject it. [sic]”

Terming the steel flyover project as one of many “undemocratic ideas”, the Bus Prayanikara Vedike tweeted: “In a democracy no one should bulldoze their way through anything. It’s unfortunate that such comments are made by DyCM. [sic]”

In a democracy no one should bulldoze their way through anything. Its unfortunate that such comments are made by DCM

Bengaluru has suffered for too long from undemocratic ideas. We cannot and should not encourage more

Steel flyover and flyovers in general are terrible ideas. pic.twitter.com/TcXwlh4hPb

— Bus Prayanikara Vedike (@BBPVedike) June 28, 2023

It added: “Bengaluru has suffered for too long from undemocratic ideas. We cannot and should not encourage more. Steel flyovers and flyovers in general are terrible ideas. [sic]”