The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and prominent Congress figure DK Shivakumar made assertions on Tuesday suggesting that the former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has essentially integrated his party, Janata Dal (Secular), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In response to queries regarding Kumaraswamy's attire, which included a saffron shawl during a protest organized by the BJP and right-wing Hindu groups in Mandya concerning the Hanuman flag dispute, Shivakumar remarked, "It's akin to an almost complete merging of his party with the BJP."
"Kumaraswamy's choice of attire, whether a saffron shawl or any other, is essentially an internal affair of his party. However, the BJP's endeavors to establish a political foothold in Mandya may lead to a situation where it's uncertain who will overshadow whom," articulated the Karnataka Congress president.
Furthermore, Shivakumar leveled accusations against both the BJP and JD(S), asserting that they sought to incite the populace in Mandya regarding the Hanuman flag issue. He stated, "Their aim is to agitate unsuspecting villagers, potentially disrupting law and order in the district. Despite their efforts, the BJP and JD(S) are experimenting in Mandya; however, the local populace remains secular and tolerant."
The incident triggering protests occurred in Keragodu near Mandya on January 28, subsequent to the removal of a saffron flag featuring the image of Lord Hanuman by district authorities. The state administration clarified that the Hanuman flag removal ensued due to permissions sought solely for hoisting the national Tricolour and the Karnataka State flag. This replacement of the Hanuman flag with the National Flag has engendered friction between the government and the opposition within the state.
Discussing this matter, Shivakumar emphasized that the gram panchayat had committed to exclusively raising the national flag and Karnataka flag.
"The national and state flags merit utmost respect. People are attentively observing every development. Although our government proposed an ordinance on Kannada usage on signboards, the Governor's rejection prompted us to seek its passage in the Assembly," noted Shivakumar.
Regarding the BJP's distribution of Hanuman flags door-to-door, he remarked, "No objections are raised against the distribution of Hanuma Dwaja. The BJP previously campaigned for the tricolour; has it already forgotten its significance? Given BJP's central authority, why haven't they introduced legislation substituting the tricolour with the saffron flag?"
