Mysuru: No politics of hatred, work for people instead, Kumaraswamy tells people’s representatives

Calling for an end to “politics of hatred”, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday (July 5) said those in public life must carry all communities together.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Vokkaliga Community Hall at Tippuru village in K.R. Nagar taluk of Mysuru district, Mr. Kumaraswamy said there was no place for hatred in politics and that elected representatives should use the mandate given by the people to serve society.

Praising the newly constructed community hall, he urged the Vokkaliga community to make the facility available to members of all communities at an affordable cost for family functions and other social events. “I have been told that Tippuru is home to 21 communities. It is heartwarming to see all of them living together in harmony,” he said.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said he had never practised caste- or religion-based politics during his political career and had instead worked for the welfare of all sections of society, including during his two terms as Chief Minister.

Referring to electoral politics, he said victory and defeat were integral to democracy and should be accepted with equanimity. “People ultimately decide who should govern. There is no need to become arrogant after winning or dejected after losing,” he said.

The Union Minister also praised S.R. Mahesh, former Minister and K.R. Nagar MLA, describing him as an accessible public representative and urging people to continue extending their political support to him.

Earlier, Mr. Mahesh highlighted Mr. Kumaraswamy’s contributions to Tippuru village, including sanctioning funds for a new school building, releasing ₹32 crore for a drinking water project and bringing the village under the Suvarna Grama scheme during his tenure as Chief Minister.

He also accused the ruling Congress of harassing Opposition party workers. Claiming that he had never targeted political rivals during his tenure as MLA, Mr. Mahesh warned that such actions would eventually have political consequences.

After the programme, Mr. Kumaraswamy visited the Sri Rama Valmiki Youth Association at Tippuru and interacted with its office-bearers. He later visited the Bhagiratha Uppara Community Hall, where community leaders sought ₹50 lakh for its ongoing expansion.

Mr. Kumaraswamy assured them that ₹10 lakh would be released immediately and that the remaining ₹40 lakh would be sanctioned shortly. He also asked the community to prepare a detailed estimate of its development requirements in consultation with Mr. Mahesh, promising support for the proposed works.