BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar’s remark that around a dozen MLAs have two marriages triggered a political controversy on Friday, with BJP leaders demanding that he identify the legislators, news agency PTI reported.As per the PTI report, Shivakumar made the remark on Thursday while responding to a debate in the assembly on the drought situation. During his speech, he discussed the growing pressure on Bengaluru due to rapid urbanisation.“Kempegowda built Bengaluru. Kengal Hanumanthaiah built Vidhana Soudha. S M Krishna made Bengaluru an international city. Whoever comes to the city doesn’t leave,” Shivakumar said.“Even you (MLAs) who come here don’t leave. All those who come to the city have two marriages. There are a dozen like that. I can give you the list,” he said.Shivakumar said he could name legislators from districts including Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada, among others, but chose not to disclose their identities.He also said lawyers who move to Bengaluru tend to stay back instead of returning to their places of origin.“Even lawyers who come to Bengaluru do not go back to their places of origin. That’s why the city’s population is like this,” he said, adding that the urban population had increased from 33 per cent to 47 per cent.The reference to legislators having two marriages drew attention in political circles and the media, with BJP leaders seeking clarification from the chief minister.Leader of the opposition R Ashoka called the remark “an unnecessary statement” and urged Shivakumar to reveal the names of the MLAs he was referring to.“Now, there’s a sword hanging over every MLA who has come to Bengaluru from other parts of the state,” Ashoka said, clarifying that Shivakumar’s remark was directed at legislators who were not originally from Bengaluru.“I was born and raised in Bengaluru,” he said.Senior BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar also criticised the statement, saying that while Shivakumar may have made the comment in a lighter vein, remarks of this nature from the Assembly floor did not enhance its dignity.“Had I been present in the Assembly, I would have responded immediately,” he said.Kumar said Shivakumar’s comment had created “unhealthy curiosity” among the public and urged him to disclose the names of legislators who have two marriages and maintain two households.“Otherwise, there’s a possibility that the people of the state may look at all legislators with disgust or ridicule them,” he said.(With PTI inputs)
