‘BPL playing cards for the needy solely’: DK Shivakumar defends eligibility assessment, slams BJP politics

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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday lashed out on the BJP for “politicising the government’s decision to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders”.

Deputy chief minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar. (ANI)

Chatting with reporters, he mentioned, “We are not taking anyone’s food away. BJP has no other business than politicising. The percentage of BPL card holders in many constituencies is around 90%. My constituency has 90%, and Holenarasipura has 92% BPL card holders. Hence, we need to ensure that genuine and needy people get BPL cards. Some BPL cards have been cancelled after review.”

He was replying to the BJP’s allegation that the federal government was robbing individuals of their meals.

When requested about MLAs being lured with presents starting from ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore, he mentioned, “Let the BJP first explain Yatnal’s allegation of ₹1000 crore. Where did the money come from? Who collected it and who did they give it to? You should ask this question to Vijayendra, Ashok and other NDA leaders.”

Shivakumar on Maharashtra elections

With the Maharashtra election inching nearer, Shivakumar expressed confidence within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) profitable the upcoming state polls.

“I took part in the election campaign in Maharashtra. I am confident that Maha Vikas Aghadi will come to power in the state. Doubts about our guarantee schemes are cleared and the people are wholeheartedly supporting the Congress party,” he mentioned.

288 meeting seats in Maharashtra will go to polls on November 20, with counting of votes to be held on November 23.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, is up towards the Mahayuti alliance, which is comprised of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP), Eknath-led Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar).

Within the 2019 meeting elections in Maharashtra, the BJP received 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. 

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