Shivakumar, who went on a day-long road show in Bengaluru South district which also includes his assembly constituency of Kanakapura, to express his gratitude to voters on becoming the CM, said he was available not just to the Congress workers, but also to the JDS m members.
The chief minister said the Congress had earlier backed Anita Kumaraswamy and Kumaraswamy to keep the BJP away. He, however, would not want to discuss the past now. “I am prepared to help you,” he said, referring to the Congress and JDS workers, urging them to make use of the opportunity.
B’LURU RURAL WITH BJP
Shivakumar’s remarks are being interpreted by independent observers as an effort to woo the JDS workers to his side as his Bengaluru South district is a part of the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP won the LS constituency after it went to the BJP in the seat sharing deal between the BJP and the JDS.
Shivakumar, as the Dy CM, pushed for and got the name of Ramanagar district changed to Bengaluru South, last year, partly restoring its earlier identity, ignoring protests by the JDS, particularly Kumaraswamy and the BJP.
He wished to take everyone along and would not blame anyone for not supporting the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections, Shivakumar said, in an obvious reference to the electoral setback his brother and sitting MP DK Suresh had in 2024. He urged voters to forgive if there was any mistake from their side and continue to support his people in the upcoming elections in the same way as they have been backing him.
“Let us all go along together. Our leaders should not settle scores against anybody. Let’s pray that they transform,” the CM said, referring to his political rivals.Shivakumar said veteran leader Siddaramaiah kept his word and transferred the power to him though the exercise got a bit delayed. Siddaramaiah and he would work together to bring the party back to power in the assembly polls in 2028.
METRO RIDE
The CM won the hearts of several Bengalureans as he took the metro from Vidhana Soudha to the Silk Institute on way to his Kanakapura constituency to save people from the inconvenience his road journey would cause on the congested Kanakapura road.
His decision earned wide appreciation as VIP movements often led to traffic disruption on main roads, putting citizens to hardship. Shivakumar interacted with fellow passengers and took selfies with the youth during his ride.
