DK Shivakumar asks BJP for evidence on fundraising allegations ahead of Bihar polls
Bengaluru (PTI): With the opposition BJP alleging that Ministers and officials in the Karnataka government were tasked with collecting funds for the Congress party ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday asked the saffron party to provide evidence to support their claims.
BJP MPs Jagadish Shettar and B Y Raghavanedra have alleged that the ruling Congress was involved in fundraising for the Bihar elections, a practice they claimed has led to increase in corruption in the state.
"If they have any evidence, let them release it. Let Raghavendra not become synonymous with lies. There are some leaders who do hit and run, let Raghavendra too not become the same," Shivakumar told reporters here.
He was responding to Raghavendra's claim that Ministers were using officials to raise funds for Bihar polls, and that practice has now become a "business" for the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
"All Ministers in the cabinet have been looting through officials to send the funds for Bihar polls, officials have been asked to collect money. After gathering money from transfers, now it is being done in the name of renewals. All Ministers are collecting money for the Bihar polls, it has become their main business," Raghavendra had told media in Shivamogga.
Jagadish Shettar, a former Chief Minister, had claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently hosted a dinner meeting for his cabinet colleagues recently in connection with the Bihar polls.
"The CM had called each Minister separately during the dinner and had discussed with them, and depending upon the departments the Ministers hold and their strength and capacity, targets were fixed for them to collect money, to send it for Bihar polls," he alleged.
Noting that Karnataka is a key resource base for the Congress in the entire country, Shettar said the state government acts as an "ATM" for that party's high command.
"Why is corruption rampant? Why has commission increased? When asked, officials say that the money has to be sent to Bihar...." he added.
Bihar polls will be held over two phases on November 6 and 11. The votes will be counted on November 14.
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Abhigyan Kundu hits 209 not out for first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India
Dubai (PTI): Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu on Tuesday created history with first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India, scoring an unbeaten against Malaysia in the U-19 Asia Cup match here.
The 17-year-old Kundu thus recorded only the second instance of a double century in Youth ODIs after South Africa's Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who had scored 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare.
Batting at No 5, the left-handed Kundu hit an overall 19 fours and seven sixes to smash 209 not out off only 125 balls.
His knock powered India U-19 to a huge 408 for seven batting first.
Earlier in the same tournament, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had scored a 95-ball 171 against the UAE, which is overall the ninth highest individual score in the format.
