Key Points

Speaking at an event organised in the district on Friday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Devaraj Urs, Shivakumar said, "I am born in this soil, I will live here and die here. I have nothing to take from this district as I belong here. My only priority is to empower my people here."

Speaking about the backlash faced for renaming the district, the Deputy CM stated that he had taken the decision with regard to real estate. "Some are criticising that I have renamed the district, keeping in mind real estate. I believe in principled life, and I have done it for the people of this district. We have already decided to make sites in 100 acres of land and distribute them to the needy. We have already instructed officials to clear Bagar hukum and other lands," he said.

"God has given me an opportunity to serve, and what is the point of having power if I can't help my people? We have already distributed sites in Kanakapura in about 100 acres. We have given Bagar Hukum land to 8,000 people. DK Suresh has been given the responsibility here," he said.

Slamming HD Kumaraswamy, the Deputy CM, stated that the Janata Dal party had lost the opportunity to do politics.

"Kumaraswamy became the CM twice from this constituency, but he did not give any sites to people. Why should they be in politics? Janata Dal has lost the opportunity to do politics here. Former minister Ashwathnarayana challenged our manliness, but he could not even issue a single site. BJP did not help anyone when it was in power," he added.

"Devraj Urs brought so many schemes which changed the lives of the poor. He gave social justice. Devaraj Urs is from a royal family, but he worked for the poor. He uplifted every single community in a secular way," he noted.

- ANI