Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and head of the state Congress DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the exclusion of the names of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his son, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamyof the invitation for Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda’s birth anniversary celebrations was a mistake and he blamed officials for it.
“This will be rectified starting next year,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after garlanding Kempe Gowda’s statue at Vidhana Soudha on his 515th birth anniversary, Shivakumar said: “There was no intention to disrespect anyone, and officials must ensure that leaders prominent community members are included in the invitation.
“Officers follow protocol. We were busy and as per protocol, names were redacted. Union minister Kumaraswamy represents the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, and former chief minister HD Deve Gowda hails from Hassan. There is no rule in place that says their names should not be included on the invitation. They should have been added and we will rectify it next time,” he said.
The Congress government’s decision in Karnataka not to invite former Chief Minister HD Deve Gowda and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has sparked controversy.
Reacting to the developments in Delhi, Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday: “Kempe Gowda does not belong to anyone. He belongs to the state. I came to know that our names have been removed from the invitation. I will not give it much importance. I will not make an issue out of it.”
BJP state president BY Vijayendra said, “One cannot become a community leader through cunning and conspiracy. The people of the community will not agree to this. The State Vokkaliga Association criticized the state government for this and declared who had insulted prominent community leaders.”
Assuring that all leaders will be invited, Shivakumar said, “I also plan to invite other community leaders. Kempe Gowda is not owned by the Vokkaligas. People from other communities should also be invited. Kempe Gowda built the city of Bengaluru for the welfare of all people. “There may be some bugs and they will be fixed next time.”
“To propagate their ideas and create awareness among people, the government is releasing funds to organize debates and interaction programs on Kempe Gowda in all schools run by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru and taluk centres. “Kempe Gowda is not confined to one community or religion. He belongs to everyone. This decision is aimed at creating awareness about Kempe Gowda’s efforts to build the city,” Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kumaraswamy and Union Minister of State for Railways Jal Shakti V. Somanna adorned Kempe Gowda’s portrait at Delhi’s Karnataka Bhavan.
