Brother D K Shivakumar can become CM if it's in his destiny: D K Suresh

Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s brother and former MP D K Suresh on Saturday chose to downplay the dinner meeting of legislators that has sparked speculations over a factional mobilisation.

“If it is in his destiny, my brother (Shivakumar) will become chief minister. If destiny does not favour, no one can make it happen,” Suresh told reporters here. Asked if his words should be construed as defeat and whether he had “given up arms”, Suresh said, “To give up arms, one must first have them. I never had any”.

When reminded of his earlier claims that patience was his weapon, he said, “Even now, I believe patience is necessary”.

Noting that political issues should be resolved amicably, the former MP said politics needed no weapons or warfare.

Suresh denied he had any information about the Delhi visit of Shivakumar ‘s supporters to lobby for their leader.

“You should ask the MLAs concerned and I have no information about the meeting or their decision to travel to Delhi. The party will examine their views,” he said. While Shivakumar has acknowledged that the five guarantees are a “burden” on the state’s exchequer, but has asserted that the govgernment will continue them, Suresh justified the expenditure of Rs 1.2 lakh crore on them. He said the guarantees were promises made to the people and must be honoured.

“The party president, the chief minister and others promised these guarantees. We must implement them,” he said.

“Whether it is a burden or otherwise should not be an afterthought. They should have been thought over before making the promise. Now, the guarantees should be implemented for all five years,” said Suresh.

He added that the guarantees were meant for the poor and the wealthy should not be availing them.