Karnataka bypolls: I am a Congressman and do not believe in caste politics, says DK Shivakumar

KPCC President DK Shivakumar said on Friday that he would always be looked upon as a Congressman, and not a caste leader. Says he is a Vokkaliga only because he is an agriculturist and was born to Vokkaliga parents.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar on Friday stated that he would always be looked upon as a Congressman, and not a caste leader.

Addressing the media DK Shivakumar claimed that he is a Vokkaliga only because he is an agriculturist and was born to Vokkaliga parents.

"No doubt I am proud of my caste Vokkaliga. But that does not mean that I would indulge in caste or religion-based politics. Being a Congress member and KPCC President, I have only one caste and that is Congress. Why should I speak about other castes," he shot back to his rivals in general and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy in particular.

Sivakumar said that there is no politics involved in attracting people into the party fold and all these things generally happen during every election.

"In every election, our rivals BJP and JD(S) do the same by visiting our party leaders and we also do it, which is just fair and square. Why should anyone be worried about it?" he asked.

On Thursday, HD Kumaraswamy had alleged that the Congress, which lacks a worker base in Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly constituency, was trying to lure his party workers ahead of the by-elections.

RR Nagar, along with the Shira Assembly segment in Tumakuru, will go to bypolls on November 3.

With both seats having considerable presence of the Vokkaliga community, winning them is crucial for both the leaders to consolidate their position in the community.