D.K. Shivakumar challenges BJP leaders to travel by public transport on a daily basis

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who criticized the BJP leaders for “symbolically” traveling in metro trains to support the Prime Minister’s call to use public transport, on Wednesday (May 20) appealed to State BJP leaders to travel by public transport on a daily basis instead of using public transport only for photo ops.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Mr. Shivakumar said: “BJP leaders are using public transport for a day or two as a symbolic response to the Prime Minister’s call to implement austerity measures. Will Union Minister V. Somanna (who recently traveled by metro), other ministers and BJP leaders use public transport every day?”

Criticizing the Prime Minister’s call to stop buying gold, he said, “How can you tell someone not to buy gold at their own wedding or tie their wedding ceremony? barbecue? “This is a symbol of our religion.”

The Deputy Chief Minister claimed that the government has created history in the state due to the effects of the guarantee schemes for which it has spent ₹ 1.34 lakh crore so far.

‘I will visit Delhi when called’

When asked if he would go to Delhi to meet Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Shivakumar said, “He said he will call. I will go to Delhi when called.”

When asked about former Minister KN Rajanna’s statement that Home Minister G. Parameshwara should become the Prime Minister in case of change in office, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Why is Rajanna trying to replace the Prime Minister? There is nothing wrong in saying that the Prime Minister should continue. If he wants Dr. Parameshwara to become the Prime Minister, does he want the incumbent to resign?”