Yogeshwar described Shivakumar as an arrogant person and a stooge of Kotwal Ramachandra, a don of yesteryears.
The war of words between forest minister CP Yogeshwar and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president DK Shivakumar continued on Thursday over illegal granite extraction in Kanakapura taluk.
Talking to presspersons after briefing chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda on the issue, Yogeshwar described Shivakumar as an arrogant person and a stooge of Kotwal Ramachandra, a don of yesteryears.
“He was supplying tea to him and even massaged his legs. What more can we expect from a person like him!” Yogeshwar said.
“Shivakumar is involved in illegal granite quarrying. We have information that nine companies belonging to him are operating in Ramanagara. There are cases of encroachment of forest land against him,” he said.
Yogeshwar said he had discussed the matter with the chief minister, who assured him of taking action against Shivakumar.
“I am holding a meeting of forest department officers today (Thursday) and will decide the course of action after that”, he added.
Tit for tat
In response, Shivakumar dubbed Yogeshwar as a fraud and ‘420’ (cheat).
“Yogeshwar is a land shark. He is anti-national. An FIR had been lodged against him during the BJP rule; let him come out clean in that case first,” he said.
Shivakumar called Yogeshwar a fickle-minded monkey. “This monkey had got a precious jewel (referring to his ministership) and is sure to lose it,” he added.
“I am ready to face any investigation as I have done nothing wrong. The Congress had fielded me to compete against former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. I have been MLA five times. People will decide whether I am a leader or somebody’s stooge,” Shivakumar retorted.
The controversy surfaced when Yogeshwar said the forest department was holding an inquiry into the illegal quarrying in Kanakapura and Ramanagara.
He also stated that the involvement of Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh in illegal quarrying was established. Immediately, Shivakumar accused Yogeshwar of collecting hafta (protection money) from owners of mining companies in Kanakapura.
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