BJP dares Congress government in Karnataka to probe scams during its rule
Bengaluru: The BJP in Karnataka on Saturday challenged the Congress government to order a probe into the ’21 scams’ that allegedly took place during the last five years, when the saffron party was in power.
The party accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah headed government of ‘shielding’ those involved in the Rs 187 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
“The Chief Minister has said 21 scams have taken place during the BJP rule. You have been in power for the past 15 months. Why did you take so much time to investigate these scams? We are ready for a probe,” Leader of the Opposition Party (LOP) R Ashoka said in a press conference.
He said, “The way Rs 88 crore of Valmiki Corporation was ‘Khata-Khat’ transferred to different bank accounts in Telangana, you should have ‘Khata-Khat’ investigated the allegations of irregularities against us.”
Ashoka, a former Deputy Chief Minister, accused Siddaramaiah of trying to put the blame on Valmiki Corporation and Union Bank of India officials apparently to shield Congress MLA B Nagendra, who resigned as the Tribal Welfare Minister and Valmiki Corporation Chairman Basanagouda Daddal.
“How much these officials would have taken? A very paltry sum. The large amount has gone to Congress leaders in Karnataka and Telangana where the Congress is in power,” the LOP claimed.
The alleged ‘scam’ came to light after the Accounts Superintendent of the Corporation Chandrasekharan P took his own life on May 26.
In the suicide note, Chandrasekharan alleged that there was an illegal transfer of Rs 187 crore belonging to the Corporation to various accounts.
The Congress government thereafter constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has so far arrested 11 people in connection with the case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also probing the case after the Union Bank of India lodged a complaint with it regarding the illegal transfer of money.
Nagendra, who resigned after the scam came to light, is presently in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
