Contractors' Association's allegations: BJP's Ashoka demands Siddaramaiah's resignation
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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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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