BS Yediyurappa accuses Cong govt of rampant corruption, running 'Tughlaq Darbar'
Bengaluru, Jun 20 (PTI): Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of being mired in rampant corruption and having stalled nearly all development works.
The BJP Central Parliamentary Board member also announced that he plans to visit the party office daily and stay until afternoon, when he is in Bengaluru, and that he would visit one or two districts every week going forward, aimed at resolving the issues of party workers and strengthening the party.
"The current situation in the state is dire, and there is no one to listen to the public's grievances. The government is only focused on publicity and has completely neglected development," Yediyurappa told reporters here.
Pointing out that irrigation projects have come to a complete standstill, he challenged the government to show even one kilometer of road work completed anywhere in the state. He accused the government of operating like a "Tughlaq Darbar."
Asserting that the BJP is not against minorities, Yediyurappa said, "but excessively favouring minorities while ignoring Scheduled Castes and Tribes is an unforgivable offense. This government is indulging in appeasement politics solely for vote-bank gains. We strongly condemn this."
He urged the government to wake up and focus on development. "It should ensure justice for people of all communities," he insisted.
When asked about the purported audio clip of Congress MLA B R Patil, in which he claimed that those who pay bribes to get houses allotted under the Housing Department's schemes, the senior leader said, "What B R Patil said is 100 per cent true. No work gets done without money. Even poor people who need houses are forced to pay bribes. The government must acknowledge this fault and correct it to deliver justice to the underprivileged."
Responding to a question, Yediyurappa said, "BJP and JDS are not separate. We will move forward together. H D Deve Gowda himself has on several occasions expressed his trust and confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
He added, in the coming days, the BJP and JDS will work together to bring down this government and form our own. "We will make every necessary effort in that direction."
Regarding internal discontent within the state BJP, Yediyurappa welcomed Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's efforts to engage with dissatisfied members and resolve issues. "I am too ready to speak with anyone who is unhappy," he said.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
