Kumaraswamy accuses DCM Shivakumar of involvement in CCD founder Siddhartha’s suicide

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, August 11, 2024: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy intensified the political clash by implicating Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in the suicide of Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha, son-in-law of former CM SM Krishna.

During the BJP-JDS Mysuru Chalo Padayatra’s closing ceremony on Saturday, Kumaraswamy questioned Shivakumar’s role in Siddhartha’s death, despite Krishna’s efforts to mentor him politically.

Siddhartha was the son-in-law of former Union Minister of External Affairs SM Krishna. Mr Shivakumar’s daughter is married to the son of Siddhartha.Siddhartha died by suicide after coming under financial strain.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that Mr Shivakumar along with others used to steal the iron chambers fixed for sewerage pipes during the night and sold them to the scrap industry to make money.

He said that Mr Shivakumar often claims that under his leadership, people gave 136 seats in Assembly elections and his (Kumaraswamy) leadership JD-S got only 19 seats. “Why did the people give you only 8 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats?” he asked.

Kumaraswamy also criticized Shivakumar for questioning the assets of his father, HD Deve Gowda, and accused him of being a "cunning" politician who allegedly targeted his family members in scandals. He further mocked Shivakumar’s loyalty to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, recalling his past actions during the JDS-Congress coalition.

Reacting to the charges of the Union Minister, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Mr Kumaraswamy “needs urgent medical treatment for mental instability”.

“Kumaraswamy knows nothing about my relationship with former Union Minister of External Affairs SM Krishna. He has gone mad. I will tell his party men and well-wishers to get him medical attention for his mental health,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

On the allegation of usurped properties, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Let Kumaraswamy bring anyone whose property I have forcibly taken. It is not in my blood to usurp properties by force.”

On the allegation of assuming huge wealth, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “I come from a poor farmer family. My life began when I came to NPS School in Bengaluru.”

Replying to Mr Kumaraswamy’s allegation that Shivakumar ditched him when he was the Chief Minister, he said, “Let the leaders of his party tell me how I ditched him when he was the Chief Minister. He clearly needs medical treatment.”