Congress demands judicial probe into 'cash gifts' to journalists on Diwali in Karnataka
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Oct 29: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tried to bribe journalists by sending Rs 1 lakh cash gifts to them on Diwali and demanded the registration of a graft case as well as his resignation.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee demanded a judicial inquiry into what it called "Chief Minister's Office (CMO) 'sweet box bribe' to journalists".
According to sources in the CMO, Bommai has said he was unaware that "cash" was given to journalists.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, "The Bommai government's bribegate is now out in the open and this time the responsibility lies at the doorstep of the chief minister himself."
"This time, Mr Bommai has surreptitiously, overtly and in a conspiratorial fashion tried to bribe the entire journalistic fraternity by sending 1 lakh cash to every journalist in Karnataka. Hats off to our journalist friends who openly exposed the bribegate," said Surjewala, who has been looking after the party's affairs in the state.
This is not the first time that the 40 per cent "corrupt Bommai government" has attempted to do so, he alleged.
The BJP government in Karnataka has become infamous for the "PayCM" campaign that the people of Karnataka have launched, Surjewala claimed.
He alleged that under the BJP government in the state, there has been bribery in recruitment, postings and contracts.
"Latest is the CM trying to bribe journalists. Where has the money come from? Was this Rs. 1 lakh withdrawn from the public exchequer and then put in a packet to be sent to journalists on Diwali or has it come from your personal kitty," Surjewala asked.
If the CM is involved in bribery who will protect the state, he asked.
"CM Bommai has been caught red-handed in the bribery to journalists scam. A case of corruption under prevention of corruption act for offering bribes has to be registered against Mr. Bommai and he has to resign immediately," Surjewala said.
Earlier, in a tweet, Surjewala said, "The 40 Percent Sarkar seeks to bribe the journalists with 1 Lakh cash! Will Mr. Bommai answer- 1. Isn't it "bribe" being offered by CM? 2. What is the source of ?1,00,000? Has it come from Public Exchequer or from CM himself? 3. Will ED/IT take note?"
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee said the people of the state should know how much money was given as bribe, how much was received, how much was returned.
#BommaiBribeGate stands exposed.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 29, 2022
If CM himself is offering ₹1,00,000 cash bribes in garb of Diwali gifts, who’ll protect the law & the Constitution.
Hats off to our brave journalist friends of #Karnataka for exposing the corrupt racket.
Lodge FIR & Sack CM Bommai. pic.twitter.com/elJCzLKSpz
Hats off to the courageous scribes of #Karnataka, who exposed the #BribeGate of CM Bommai & his CMO.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 28, 2022
Hope BJP Govt realises that everyone is “Not on Sale”.
Urge National Media friends to take note @ndtv @aajtak @ABPNews @CNNnews18 @News24 @IndiaToday #40PercentSarkara https://t.co/DsUXZwWNTZ
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
If something happens to Dallewal, Centre may not be able to handle situation, say farmer leaders
Chandigarh, Jan 7: Punjab farmer leaders on Tuesday said if something untoward happens to Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is sitting on a fast-unto-death, then the Centre may not be able to handle the situation which could arise thereafter.
Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar stressed that the Centre should resolve the farmers' issues in a serious manner.
According to farmers, Dallewal's health is "deteriorating" each passing day and "anything can happen to him".
Dallewal, 70, who is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 over farmers' various demands including a legal guarantee of the minimum support price for crops.
Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 43rd day on Tuesday, has so far refused to take any medical aid.
Addressing the media, Dr Avtar Singh, who is part of a team from NGO '5 Rivers Heart Association' said Dallewal's health condition worsened on Monday evening.
His blood pressure dropped and he vomited while lying on the bed, said the doctor.
His condition is deteriorating every day and anything can happen to him, he said.
Meanwhile, a team of government doctors also examined Dallewal at the Khanauri border.
Farmers said Dallewal's condition remained critical on Tuesday and that he was not able to talk to anyone.
Farmer leader Kohar said, "God forbid if anything untoward happens to Dallewal ji, then perhaps the situation may not remain under control of the Central government."
The Centre should make efforts so that the situation does not reach that level, he said.
"If anything happens to Dallewal, then there will be a 'blot' on the tenure of the present government at the Centre which may never be cleaned," said Kohar.
Lashing out at the Union government, he said it never happened even during the British rule that when a person is sitting on fast-unto-death and the government is not paying any attention to him.
Speaking about the next programmes, Kohar said effigies of the BJP government will be burnt on January 10 throughout the country against the Centre's attitude towards the demands of farmers.
"Dallewal is fighting to save the future of the country's farmers," he said.
The draft policy on 'National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing' will be burnt on January 13, he said.
On January 26, tractors of farmers will be on the roads across the country, he further said.
Farmers, under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
On Monday, a Supreme Court-appointed panel met Dallewal and urged him to take medical aid. He has so far refused to take medical assistance, offered by the Punjab government following the apex court's directions.
