‘Collection King’: War Of Words Between DK Shivakumar, BJP’s BY Vijayendra Over Corruption | Politics News

Earlier, the BJP leader had accused the Karnataka government of rampant corruption. (File)

A war of words broke out between Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and BJP state unit chief BY Vijayendra on Thursday, with both leaders trading barbs and challenging each other to raise the issues on the floor of the assembly.

While speaking to reporters in Belagavi, the Deputy Chief Minister termed the BJP leader as “Collection King” and accused him of being responsible for damaging the reputation of his father and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

He refuted Vijayendra’s claim that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had emptied the state treasury to appease the party high command.

“Which treasury is empty? Rather than evading the ongoing session, let him come and speak in the Assembly. I will respond to him appropriately. As the President of the party, he must speak responsibly. He is not experienced, no treasury is empty,” Shivakumar said, adding that he could reveal details about “collections, accounts and transactions.”

Earlier, the BJP leader had accused the Karnataka government of rampant corruption, claiming that money collected through “loot and by emptying the state’s coffers” was being paid to the party high command to remain in power. He claimed that several scams had taken place, including in the Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and alleged that contractors were being forced to pay commissions.

Hitting back at Shivakumar’s remarks, Vijayendra accused the Deputy Chief Minister of attempting to intimidate him.

“Do not try to threaten me the way you threaten others, Mr DK Shivakumar,” he said, adding, “I do not need to learn any lessons from DK Shivakumar. He has no moral authority to speak about corruption. If he has the courage, let him speak in the Assembly. I will reply to him there,” he said.

Vijayendra further alleged that Shivakumar was speaking “under the intoxication of power” and warned him against political intimidation, drawing parallels with past conspiracies against Yediyurappa.

“Just as conspiracies were hatched against Yediyurappa earlier, do not attempt the same now,” he said.

He also said the BJP would raise several issues, including allegations against ministers, during the ongoing winter session of the legislature.

The winter session of the Karnataka legislature began on December 8 and is scheduled to conclude on December 19.