Bengaluru (PTI): Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the wake of the State Contractors' Association's allegations about corruption in the Congress government.

Calling the Siddaramaiah administration an "80 per cent commission government", the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly said Karnataka cannot afford this "brazenly corrupt" Congress regime anymore.

Karnataka State Contractors' Association (KSCA) had last week written to Siddaramaiah alleging that commission for clearing payments in several departments under the current Congress government has "doubled" compared with the previous BJP regime.

It accused the state government of failing to release long-pending dues of contractors for nearly two years.

The '40 per cent commission' allegation by KSCA had rocked state politics and became a major poll plank for the Congress to wrest power from the BJP in 2023 Assembly polls.

"Karnataka Contractors expose Congress corruption! When in Opposition, Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar (Deputy CM) shouted about 40 percent commission. Today, under their rule, contractors themselves have exposed that the rate has doubled - Karnataka has become an 80 percent commission government!", Ashoka posted on 'X'.

He questioned why the ministers are not coming forward to deny the charges.

He further asked, "Why is the CM silent when the state's reputation is being dragged through the mud? Why are projects like Bidadi Township being used as a pretext for illicit real estate deals and acquisition of fertile farmers' land?"

"This is the height of betrayal. Instead of transparency, Congress has delivered harassment, loot, and backdoor corruption. If CM Siddaramaiah has even a shred of dignity left, he must resign immediately," Ashoka posted, adding "#80PercentSarkara #ResignCM"

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Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.

He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.

The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.

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Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.

A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.

In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.

A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.

The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.