Participants during an interaction program with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Saturday 13 | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Amid continued political speculation about leadership changes in the state, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he was “not intimidated” by the threats, asserting his political experience.
During his interaction with Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF) representatives at Vidhana Soudha, he said, “I am an eight-time MLA and I went to jail without fearing the Prime Minister or the Home Minister.”
Answer to the letter
This was in response to a letter Mr. Shivakumar had read, written to him by a citizen warning him against neglecting the residents of the flat. The letter stated that the flat owners could have influenced the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections and alleged that successive governments had neglected their concerns.
The deputy assistant minister described the tone of the letter as “threatening” and argued: “We are not intimidated. You have to have basic common sense about who you are talking to. If I didn’t want to help, why would I be calling people here and asking for their feedback?”.
He referred to his electoral record and noted that his repeated victories reflect the trust and support of the people. “I have won eight times. That is the kind of love people have shown and it reflects the faith and trust they have put in me. I have been part of Bengaluru’s growth and development,” he said.
JD(S) slams DKS
Following the comments, Deputy Chief Minister Janata Dal (Secular) accused Mr Shivakumar of “intimidating citizens and displaying arrogance unbecoming of a constitutional office”.
The JD(S) said on its official handle X that questioning elected representatives is a democratic right and alleged that Mr. Shivakumar, as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Bengaluru City Development, threatened citizens from the dais.
“Such actions did not bring recognition to the representatives of the public in democracy,” the party said, adding that the voters would respond adequately in the polls.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 20:53 IST
