Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s remark that a dozen MLAs have two marriages sparked a political controversy on Friday, with BJP leaders demanding that he name them.
Senior BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar criticised the statement, saying that while Shivakumar may have made it in a lighter vein, such remarks from the floor of the Assembly did not enhance its dignity.
“Kempegowda built Bengaluru. Kengal Hanumanthaiah built Vidhana Soudha. S M Krishna made Bengaluru an international city. “Even you (MLAs) who come here don’t leave. All those who come to the city have two marriages. There are a dozen like that. “Even lawyers who come to Bengaluru do not go back to their places of origin.
That’s why the city’s population is like this,” he said, adding that the urban population had risen from 33 per cent to 47 per cent.
Whoever comes to the city doesn’t leave,” Shivakumar said. I can give you the list,” he said. Shivakumar said he could name legislators from districts such as Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada, among others, but chose not to get into it. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, terming it an “unnecessary statement,” urged Shivakumar to disclose the names of the MLAs he had referred to. Kumar said Shivakumar’s statement had created “unhealthy curiosity” among people and urged him to disclose the names of legislators who had two marriages and maintained two households.
