‘Never said we don’t want Keralites’: DK Shivakumar slams Rajeev Chandrasekhar for ‘misquoting’ him

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday clarified that his remark on Keralites was aimed at preventing interference by the Kerala government in Karnataka’s administration and not against people from Kerala, amid a political row triggered by eviction drives in Bengaluru.

Shivakumar accused Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar of misquoting him and attempting to mislead the public. “I had said that we don’t want the Kerala government to interfere in Karnataka’s administration, and not Keralites,” he told reporters, dismissing allegations that his comments were directed at people from the neighbouring state.

He added that attempts to distort his statement would not succeed. “No one can mislead the people. I will be going to Kerala for a campaign for the Assembly polls. People there like me a lot. We love Kerala,” Shivakumar said, asserting that the Congress enjoys strong support in the state.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar had accused the Congress of divisive politics, alleging that Shivakumar’s remarks reflected a mindset of dividing people on the basis of geography, caste, religion, and language. In a post on X, the Kerala BJP chief said the Congress spoke of national unity while practising what he described as “shameless politics”.

The controversy has its roots in the demolition of allegedly illegal houses at Kogilu village in north Bengaluru, where encroachments were cleared for a proposed solid waste processing unit. The eviction drive sparked sharp criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who termed it a “bulldozer raj” and accused the Karnataka government of targeting minorities.

DK Shivakumar, in a response to the Kerala CM, said, "We don't want any Keralites. Let the CM do his job, we will do ours."

He added that the land had been earmarked for solid waste management nearly a decade ago and that people had encroached upon it only recently. He alleged that some political leaders, including Vijayan, were trying to politicise the issue ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections by showing sympathy to minorities.

“This is an internal matter of Karnataka. The Kerala CM must get complete information before commenting,” he said, adding that the site was unsuitable for habitation as it was close to a leachate pit and garbage dump.

The deputy CM also maintained that while encroachments would not be tolerated, the Karnataka government would rehabilitate genuine cases. He said those who were found eligible and without houses would be provided assistance under government housing schemes, while strict action would be taken against land grabbers who allegedly collected money and allowed illegal constructions.

Amid questions on leadership changes in Karnataka, Shivakumar avoided speculation about becoming chief minister, saying he would speak on the matter in 2026. He asserted that the Congress government would remain in power for the next seven-and-a-half years and expressed confidence that the party would win the 2028 Assembly elections.