Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday defended the party’s decision to appoint him as in-charge for the Kundgol assembly bypoll, which has been questioned by Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi.
“Only those who love me a lot remember me often. Jarkiholi is a sahukar (wealthy) and a leader. We’re just workers,” Shivakumar told reporters.
He was reacting to Jarkiholi expressing resentment over his appointment as in-charge for Kundgol bypoll on May 19. Jarkiholi asked if the party lacked leaders from the north Karnataka region.
“This isn’t new for me. Why didn’t anybody speak up when I was sent to Ballari for the bypolls? The party has asked me to go to so many bye-elections,” Shivakumar said.
Congress has often depended on Shivakumar’s man-management skills during crucial elections and other crises.
He said he could not join party leaders for Kusumavathi Shivalli’s nomination filing on Monday due to a court hearing. Kusumavathi is the wife of C S Shivalli, whose death necessitated the bypoll.
“I will request (the court) as per law. I have to follow the party’s directive. Also, Shivalli was close to my heart. I was the one who made him join Congress. I can’t decline the responsibility the party has given. In fact, I wanted to take my family out and I’m doing grave injustice to them. Still, I have to listen to my party,” Shivakumar said.