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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday lambasted the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular), alleging that they were only interested in politics and not in the welfare of the state or its people.
Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Soudha (the legislature building of the state), he said, "Do the BJP and JD(S) have concerns about people's issues? If they don't have any interest in discussing people's issues, there is not much that can be done. Let them focus on politics and we will focus on the development of the state." Asked about the participation of BJP MLAs in the dinner organized by the Congress leaders, he said, "Leaders from other parties do attend dinners, weddings, and other important occasions cutting across party lines. What is wrong with that? It is natural that people from different parties talk to each other, politics is different, and personal relationships are different. We call leaders of the Opposition even during sessions to discuss certain issues. For dinners, we invite all MLAs but some make it and others don't." Asked about the proposal of Congress legislator Prasad Abbaiah to name the Mysuru airport after Tipu Sultan, he did not comment. The proposal of renaming the Mysuru airport after Tipu Sultan, a Muslim ruler, by the MLA has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly. Abbayya who is MLA from Hubballi-Dharwad (East) came up with the proposal during a discussion about the state government writing to the Centre to change the names of airports. Abbayya said, "I propose the renaming of Mysuru Airport to Tipu Sultan Airport." This left BJP MLAs angered and they stood up to protest and objected to the decision, triggering heated arguments between both sides. However, the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recommending the union government to name four airports after prominent personalities. (ANI)
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