Bengaluru: In a remarkable and somewhat unconventional move, BJP MLA Munirathna from RR Nagar sought financial support and resources for his constituency in a symbolic gesture. Munirathna met with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and touched his feet, drawing attention and sparking controversy.
Munirathna has been vocal about his allegations that funds earmarked for RR Nagar were intentionally diverted by the previous Congress government to other projects. This accusation has escalated political tensions in the region, prompting Munirathna and his supporters to stage a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Vidhana Soudha. The protest ended with the police detaining Munirathna’s supporters, leaving the former minister to conduct a solitary demonstration.
Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa expressed solidarity with Munirathna, accusing the Congress government of playing divisive politics. The ongoing power struggle between rival parties continues to cast a shadow over the development prospects of the region.
Munirathna later made his way to the Palace Grounds, where D K Shivakumar was addressing a gathering. During this meeting, Munirathna touched Shivakumar’s feet in an unusual gesture and presented a memorandum reiterating the need for financial support in RR Nagar.
Shivakumar assured Munirathna that he would meet with him to discuss the concerns in greater detail.
Munirathna voiced his frustration at Vidhana Soudha, expressing his inability as an MLA to carry out development work due to a lack of resources. He questioned the diversion of allocated funds and why the local Member of Parliament, D K Suresh, who is also Shivakumar’s brother, appeared to harbor animosity towards him. Munirathna called for cooperation among elected representatives to advance the region’s progress.
In response, D K Suresh dismissed Munirathna’s actions as “drama” and suggested that the MLA was adept at producing theatrical scripts. Although acknowledging receipt of a letter from Munirathna on the matter, Suresh stated that they had never discussed the issue in person. Tensions and controversies surrounding the allocation of resources persist as politicians vie for the betterment of their constituencies.