Shivakumar asks Joshi why fuel ships were sent to Gujarat

Stating that the Union government is more concerned about the Northern States, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar sought to know from Union Minister Pralhad Joshi why ships carrying fuel from the Gulf countries were sent to Gujarat and not to either Kerala or Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons at Hubballi Airport on Tuesday, Mr. Shivakumar took exception to Mr. Joshi’s suggestion to autorickshaw drivers to shift to petrol from CNG in the wake of shortage.

Mr. Shivakumar said that Mr. Joshi should have worked towards protecting the interests of the State. “Why ships carrying fuel did not come to Mangaluru or Kerala ports? He is only taking care of North India. South India is being neglected,” he said.

To a query on whether there is politics involved, he said that as the BJP has no political base in South India, politics is being played in such matters.