100 per cent corruption took place during previous Cong rule: CM Bommai
Bengaluru(PTI): Faced by 40 per cent commission charge against his government, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday hit back at the Congress for 'maladministration' when it was in power between 2013 and 2018 and alleged that there were instances of "100 per cent corruption" then.
Addressing the BJP's state executive meeting here, he told partymen that there was a huge responsibility, with high expectations by the people from them.
"The Congress' maladministration and its decisions are still fresh in the minds of the people of the state... they think that people would have forgotten everything and are making speeches today. There was no social harmony during their tenure that was marred by communal violence and killings."
He alleged that the law and order in the state had collapsed under the Congress government, which was plagued by scams.
"There are instances where 100 per cent corruption had taken place. During the Congress' regime there was large-scale corruption in all departments," he said pointing to alleged corruption in the minor irrigation department, borewell scam, among others.
State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel, former Chief Minister and BJP Parliamentary Board Member B S Yediyurappa, Union Ministers-Pralhad Joshi, Shoba Karndlaje and Narayana Swamy-, party National General Secretaries Arun Singh and C T Ravi, among others were present at the meet.
The Congress has no moral right to speak about corruption, the CM said. They did not take any action against a DIG, who was allegedly involved in the police recruitment scam, and there were similar scams in Teachers' recruitment and Karnataka Public Services Commission.
" fter the BJP came to power, action was taken in connection with all these scams and I gave permission to prosecute the DIG involved in police recruitment scam. There were also scams in various public works during their tenure," he added.
The Congress has been trying to put the ruling BJP on the backfoot with the 'PayCM' campaign, targeting the government on the issue of corruption including the 40 per cent commission allegation made by the Karnataka State Contractors Association.
Accusing the Siddaramaiah led Congress government of withdrawing cases against an "anti national organisation like PFI", Bommai claimed that despite attack on their own legislators, just for the sake of appeasement and vote bank politics, they supported such organisations.
They opposed action against such organisations, which burnt the house of a Congress legislator during the violence at Bengaluru's K G Halli and D J Halli, he said, "this is Congress' model and what morality do they have?"
Noting that any government should be formed with people's mandate, the CM alleged that by subverting people's mandate and democratic norms, the party (JDS) that had got just 32 seats was given power by the Congress, through illegal means after the 2018 assembly polls.
"In one and half years the Congress-JD(S) coalition government that was in power, had taken the state backwards in all sectors," he said, highlighting various schemes and welfare measures taken by his government for all round development of the state and its people.
Bommai further claimed that BJP is the only party that is holding its state executive once in three months to review its programmes and analyse the political situation.
"There is a huge responsibility on us and people have too much expectations... people have lost faith in other parties in the state and other parts of the country, and BJP heading the government in 18 states is the proof for it and it will be further known in the days to come," he said.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
