Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ignited a political controversy by stating that approximately a dozen MLAs in the state have two marriages. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly reacted to these remarks, made during a debate on drought and Bengaluru's urbanisation in the Karnataka Assembly, demanding that Shivakumar reveal the names of the legislators.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ignited a political controversy by stating that approximately a dozen MLAs in the state have two marriages. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly reacted to these remarks, made during a debate on drought and Bengaluru's urbanisation in the Karnataka Assembly, demanding that Shivakumar reveal the names of the legislators.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ignited a political controversy by stating that approximately a dozen MLAs in the state have two marriages. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly reacted to these remarks, made during a debate on drought and Bengaluru's urbanisation in the Karnataka Assembly, demanding that Shivakumar reveal the names of the legislators.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s remark that around a dozen MLAs in the state have two marriages has sparked controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding that he disclose the names of the legislators.

Shivakumar made the remarks during a debate in the Karnataka Assembly on the state’s persistent drought situation. Speaking about the growing pressure on Bengaluru due to rapid urbanisation, the chief minister said people who move to the city rarely leave.

“Kempegowda built Bengaluru. Kengal Hanumanthaiah built Vidhana Soudha. S.M. Krishna made Bengaluru an international city. Whoever comes to the city doesn’t leave,” Shivakumar said.

“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. I can give you the list,” he said in a lighter vein.

Shivakumar said he could name legislators from districts including Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada, among others, but chose not to disclose their identities. He added that even lawyers who move to Bengaluru do not return to their native places.

“That’s why the city’s population is like this,” he said, referring to the rise in the urban population from 33 per cent to 47 per cent.

The chief minister’s remarks about the MLAs drew criticism from the Opposition, with the BJP calling them “unnecessary” and demanding that he reveal the names of the legislators.

“Now, there’s a sword hanging over every MLA who has come to Bengaluru from other parts of the state,” Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka said.

Senior BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar also criticised Shivakumar’s remarks, saying that such comments from the floor of the Assembly did not enhance the dignity of the House.

Kumar said the chief minister’s statement had created “unhealthy curiosity” among the public and urged him to disclose the names of the legislators who had two marriages and maintained two households.