Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Former Minister Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan who shared dais on June 27 got into heated debate. Finally Sri Nirmanalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichuchanagiri Matha intervened and said that you as the leaders of the Vokkaliga community should not fight like this.
The battle of words took place at the Kempegowda Jayanti programme held at Ramana Maharshi Park in Sadashivnagara. D. K. Shivakumar and Ashwath Narayan used to stand on different platforms before the election and scold each other. D. K. Shivakumar had asked Ashwath Narayan what is the relationship between you and Ramanagara. Aswatthanarayan in return had asked D. K. Shiva Kumar what is the relationship between Shivakumar and Bengaluru. Even after becoming the DyCM this talk has continued.
On June 27, the two leaders came face-to-face at the Kempegowda Day celebrations in Bengaluru. D. K. Shivakumar was waiting to respond to the words spoken against him.
He said, “I would like to tell Ashwath Narayan one thing. He should read history. I studied in NPS. I am also attached to Bangalore. You spoke politically. But you don’t know my history,’ said D. K. Shivakumar.
“I planted a jackfruit tree in this park. Now it has grown,” and thus proved that he has a relationship with Sadashiva nagar Park. “Is it possible to tell all this to anyone else besides my friend? You can’t create history if you don’t know history. No need to know history. I studied in NPS, he said.
Shivakumar said addressing Ashwath Narayana himself that in some cases we have to remind ourselves that we are there without knowing.
“Why was Kempegowda born in Bangalore? Why Kengal Hanumanthappa, and Balagangadharnath Swamiji were born is not the point of discussion. They all born in this holy land and did lot of noble works.”
Shivakumar said that I was ashamed to see the meeting on Kempegowda’s Jayanti held earlier. 75% of those present in the meeting were Vokkaligas. Kempegowdru do not belong only to Vokkaliga. Kempegowda is beyond caste and religion. Did he construct towns by looking at castes?, said D. K. Shivakumar.
After Shivakumar, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan addressing the gathering said, ” I have a reason to question Shivakumar.”
He asked me what is my relationship with Ramanagara. We have given more projects to Ramanagara than any other government. We have developed Ramanagara. He only announced in Kempambudhi. But we have developed it,” he said.
“Ramanagara is the karmabhoomi of my ancestors. My birth name is Kempegowda. All the history will be known in the coming days, said Aswatth Narayan and added “What is my contribution? The work speaks.”
“I have not discussed any issue personally. I did not come to speak hate. We have come to politics to do good for the nation. I just responded to what he said. What happens if you are just in politics? I have said what needs to be said. There is no resentment,” said Ashwath Narayan. Let everyone talk about development. Let this Government do the 5% development done by Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. Let’s see, if this Government would last for 5 years, he said.
He said I wish all the best to Shiva Kumar. Take inspiration from Kempegowda. it will be good,” he said.
Kempegowda Fort is located near Sangam on the Tamil Nadu border. Its development is underway. Near that fort is Virendra Patil’s house next to Nijalingappa’s house. Next to it is the house of my father Doddahalahalli Kempegowda. Recently sold it. This is my relationship with Bangalore, which Kempegowda has built, said DKS.
DyCM Shivakumar said, More than 75% of the Kempegowda authority meeting had only Vokkaliga. I was ashamed to see this. Kempegowda never belonged to one community. He belongs to all castes and religions. When we are born we do not apply to be born in such a caste. We are continuing the caste religion of our parents. Kempegowda’s morals were not based on caste. If he had worked on caste, Bangalore would not have 52 townships of different communities. He has worked hard to get status for all classes in the society.
“Ashwath Narayan does not know about the history of my relationship with Bengaluru. So he speaks about it. Let them know about the relationship between me and Bengaluru,” said DyCM Shivakumar at the Kempegowda Utsav programme give a befitting reply at Former Minister Ashwath Narayan.
In the meantime, after the two Vokkaliga leaders exchanged words with each other on the stage, Nirmalanandanath Shri of Adichunchanagiri Matha gave a message not to develop malice. “Don’t hate each other, don’t fight. Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji instructed that there should be mutual cooperation for development. He requested both not to develop enmity.