Hans News Service Bengaluru

UnionMinister HD Kumaraswamy launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, alleging that a smear campaign was being carried out against him and his family over the proposed Bidadi township issue.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said he had expected Shivakumar to rise above such tactics after becoming Chief Minister, but alleged that the practice of circulating objectionable content and putting up defamatory posters had continued. “I thought that after becoming Chief Minister, he would stop indulging in such activities. But that mindset has not changed. Posters are being pasted not only against me but also against my wife. They have put up posters claiming that my family owns 100 acres of land, along with photographs of me and my son Nikhil,” Kumaraswamy alleged.

Rejecting the allegations, he clarified that his family had legally purchased land decades ago. “We bought 46 acres nearly 40 years ago after years of hard work. Apart from that, where is the 100 acres they are talking about? My wife Anita Kumaraswamy has purchased around 36 to 37 acres legally. How can anyone falsely portray legally acquired property through posters?” he questioned.

Kumaraswamy further alleged that supporters of certain individuals were behind the poster campaign and questioned whether such tactics suited a person occupying the Chief Minister’s office. “Will people believe everything that is written on posters? At least after becoming Chief Minister, one should maintain certain standards. This kind of behaviour is not good for the state,” he said. Calling it a reflection of Shivakumar’s “distorted mindset”, Kumaraswamy alleged that such political methods had been followed for years and continued even after assuming the state’s top post. “He has targeted not only me but also leaders like R. Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and BY Vijayendra through posters. If anyone has committed wrongdoing, let the government direct officials to take legal action. Why resort to anonymous posters and propaganda?” he asked. Referring to the Congress government, Kumaraswamy claimed that several ministers and legislators had been silenced from speaking openly on important issues. “We thought things would change, but unfortunately that mentality has not gone away,” he said.