BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the exclusion of names of former chief minister HD Deve Gowda and his son, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, from the invitation for the anniversary celebrations of Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda’s birth was a mistake and he blamed officials for it.
“This will be resolved starting next year,” he stated.
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 community leaders prominent figures are included in the invitation.
“Officers follow protocol. We were busy and, as per protocol, names were omitted. Union minister Kumaraswamy represents the Mandya Lok Sabha seat and former chief minister HD Deve Gowda hails from Hassan. There is no standing rule that their names should not be included on the invitation. They should have been added and we will rectify it next time,” he stated.
The Congress government in Karnataka’s decision not to invite former Prime 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, “You cannot become a community leader through cunning and conspiracy. The people of the community will not agree to this. The State Vokkaliga Association has criticized the government state for this and has stated that he has insulted prominent community leaders.
Shivakumar assured that all leaders will be invited and said, “I am also planning to invite other community leaders. Kempe Gowda is not the property of 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 mistakes and they will be sorted out next time.”
“To spread his ideas and create awareness among people, the government is allocating funds to organize debates and interaction programs on Kempe Gowda in all schools run by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru and taluk centres. Kempe Gowda is not limited to one community or religion. This decision is aimed at creating awareness about Kempe Gowda’s efforts to build the city,” Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kumaraswamy and Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna garlanded the portrait of Kempe Gowda at the Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi.
(tags to translate)deve
