Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently announced his intention to appeal to major organizations, including the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) and various industry associations. His aim is to secure a three or four-day leave for Bihar natives working in Karnataka, enabling them to travel back to their home state and cast their votes in the impending Bihar Assembly elections.
Speaking at a gathering with members of the Karnataka Bihar Samaj in Byatarayanapura, Mr. Shivakumar extended his gratitude to the Bihari community for their significant role in Karnataka’s progress. He stated, “Your community has been an integral part of Karnataka’s labor and workforce. Truly, without the Bihari workers, who constitute a large portion of our labor force, Bengaluru would not have achieved its current level of development.”
A Community Hall for Biharis on the Horizon
During the meeting, Mr. Shivakumar also pledged to discuss the establishment of a community hall for the Bihar community in Bengaluru with the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner. He noted, “You all, the community members, had not approached me earlier. Now I understand that your community lacks a dedicated office or meeting space. I will personally speak with the BDA Commissioner to facilitate providing a suitable location for your community.”
Advocating for Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar CM and Rahul Gandhi as PM
Mr. Shivakumar used the opportunity to urge the community to support the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA alliance) in the Bihar elections and back RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for the position of Bihar Chief Minister.
“Our collective goal is to see Mr. Yadav as the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister,” he declared. He further mentioned, “Mr. Yadav also conveyed to me his strong desire to make Mr. Gandhi the Prime Minister at any cost. We are striving for a significant change in Bihar. The ‘guarantees’ successfully implemented in Karnataka, which are a hallmark of the Congress, are now being replicated there.”
He also commented on the political landscape in Bihar, suggesting that the era of Nitish Kumar is drawing to a close. Shivakumar claimed that the BJP was attempting to exert control from behind the scenes through Mr. Kumar. “Today, Bihar is no longer truly with Nitish Kumar; this represents his final chapter. The BJP recognizes that they cannot re-establish him as their leader,” the Deputy Chief Minister asserted.
Responding to a few attendees who expressed their desire to see him as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister, Mr. Shivakumar humbly dismissed the remarks, stating, “That aspiration holds less importance for me. What truly matters is Mr. Gandhi becoming the Prime Minister and Mr. Yadav becoming the Chief Minister.”