The floor of the Karnataka Assembly turned into a political battlefield on Friday after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed that a dozen legislators maintain two marriages. He made the comment while replying to a debate on the state’s drought situation, extending the discussion to the rapid urbanization pressure on Bengaluru. The remark was not an isolated quip; it was a pointed observation on migration patterns that bypassed the usual diplomatic language expected of a sitting Chief Minister.
Shivakumar argued that Bengaluru’s population dynamics are driven by people who arrive and never leave. "Kempegowda built Bengaluru. Kengal Hanumanthaiah built Vidhana Soudha. S M Krishna made Bengaluru an international city," he told the house. He noted that urban population had risen from 33 per cent to 47 per cent, largely because migrants settle permanently. "Whoever comes to the city doesn't leave," he said, turning to the members present. "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."
The Chief Minister specified that these legislators hail from districts like Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada but chose not to name them on the floor. He compared them to lawyers who migrate to the capital for their careers and never return to their hometowns. This silence, however, did not end the controversy. It amplified it. By withholding the list, Shivakumar left the accusation hanging in the air, inviting speculation rather than clarifying his point.
BJP leaders seized on the ambiguity. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka labeled the statement "unnecessary" and warned that it places a "sword hanging over every MLA who has come to Bengaluru from other parts of the state." Ashoka, a native of the city, clarified that the remark applied specifically to non-resident legislators. Senior BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar took a sharper tone, arguing that such remarks from the floor of the Assembly did not enhance its dignity. "Had I been present in the Assembly, I would have responded immediately," Kumar said. He accused the government of creating "unhealthy curiosity" among the public.
Kumar warned that without disclosure, the people of the state might begin to view all legislators with "disgust" or ridicule them. The controversy now centers on whether Shivakumar will honor his implicit challenge and name the dozen MLAs. If he does, the political fallout will be immediate and personal. If he stays silent, the BJP will likely table a formal demand for the list in the next session, turning a comment on urban planning into a sustained attack on the integrity of the legislature.