DK Shivakumar Dismisses ‘Rs 500 Crore CM’ Claim as Absurd, Targets Centre Over North Karnataka Issues

Bengaluru, Dec 2025 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Monday strongly reacted to a controversial statement made by Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who alleged that only those capable of paying Rs 500 crore can become Chief Minister in Punjab. Calling the remark irrational, Shivakumar said such statements reflected a disturbed mindset.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “People who make such statements should be admitted to a hospital — a good mental hospital.” His sharp response came after Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s comments triggered a nationwide political controversy. She had claimed that the path to the Chief Minister’s post in Punjab required a financial contribution of Rs 500 crore, and further suggested that her husband could transform the state if given the opportunity, but lacked the funds required for party donations.

Shivakumar refrained from engaging further in personal political allegations but made it clear that such remarks were baseless and irresponsible. His statement is being seen as an attempt to distance the Congress party from the controversy and to shut down speculation arising from the claim.

When asked about his possible travel to Delhi around December 20, Shivakumar clarified that he would instead be attending a global summit in Hyderabad. “Our neighbouring state has invited us for a global summit. I, along with a few officials, will be going there. We will discuss other plans later,” he said.

Turning his focus to regional issues, the Deputy Chief Minister launched a stinging attack on the Centre over what he described as continued neglect of North Karnataka’s agricultural problems. He pointed out that the state government had already taken decisions involving a heavy financial burden to protect sugarcane farmers and to address maize-related issues. “The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I have intervened together to provide relief. Now the Centre must answer for the problems of North Karnataka,” he asserted.

On whether the ongoing Belagavi Assembly session would resolve these issues, Shivakumar expressed disappointment over the silence of the central government. “The Centre has not uttered a word about the sugarcane farmers or the maize issue. Even BJP MPs have not raised their voice on behalf of the state,” he said.

He also targeted former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai for repeatedly suggesting that the state government undertake procurement. “If the state has to do everything, what is the Centre’s responsibility? Who fixes prices? The Centre decides all financial benchmarks, yet it has not taken any concrete decision,” Shivakumar questioned.

“We are here to provide relief to farmers. Doesn’t the Centre have any responsibility? Why has Bommai not raised this issue in Parliament or met the Prime Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister?” he asked.

On irrigation projects and delays in execution, Shivakumar defended his record, stating that no one in the history of the Irrigation Department had done as much work as he did during his tenure. However, he chose not to elaborate further before the media. “Let the opposition raise these issues during the Assembly session. I will respond there,” he concluded.

The remarks highlight growing tensions between the Karnataka government and the Centre over agricultural and regional development concerns, even as political controversies continue to simmer at the national level.

Team Maverick.