Graft charge: HD Kumaraswamy urges contractors' body to boycott govt tenders for 6 months
Mysuru, Aug 26: Amid the 40 per cent commission charge by the contractors' body in public works, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Friday urged them to boycott government tenders for six months, aimed at ending corruption.
The former Chief Minister alleged that both the national parties -- Congress and BJP -- have been indulging in "percentage business" and use such funds for elections and their parties.
"I request the office-bearers of the contractors' association to boycott government tenders for six months...let's see what happens. You should stop this system (commission) and should not be a part of it, as it amounts to cheating people of the State and destroying your own lives. Contractors have to get ready for this," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the national parties with such "percentage business" fund elections in the State and in neighbouring ones send "suitcases" through their Delhi representatives like general secretaries and in-charges, whenever they visit.
He claimed that when he was the Chief Minister, the bill payments used to happen directly to the account of contractors every month, and had ensured that his party's Ministers don't get involved in the "commission" business, but the same cannot be said about Ministers from his former coalition partner- Congress, as they did not want him to interfere in their departments.
The contractors' association on Wednesday renewed its 40 per cent commission charge and said it would continue its fight demanding an independent judicial inquiry.
An association delegation, led by its president D Kempanna, met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah and later alleged that the whole system was corrupt.
Last year, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the contractors' association had claimed "harassment" by Ministers, elected representatives and others, accusing them of demanding up to 30 per cent of the tender amount for approving a contract, and 5-6 per cent towards release of 'Letter of Credit' against pending bills.
Kumaraswamy, in response to a question, said a strong government, which would not work under any one's pressure, should come to power in Karnataka for this commission menace to end.
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Comedian Shyam Rangeela files nomination from Varanasi LS seat on last day
Varanasi: Comedian Shyam Rangeela has finally filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency on Tuesday, May 14, the last day of filing papers.
Rangeela, who intended to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged on Monday that he was being denied a nomination from the seat, as he along with several other candidates were reportedly made to wait for filling papers on May 10th and May 13th.
Shyam Rangeela, taking to his official ‘X’ handle, wrote, "With your love and support, I have completed all the requirements as per the rules and submitted the nomination. I also have full faith in the democracy of this country. Now the next two-three days are crucial. Thank you all very much for your cooperation. My electoral future rests in the hands of all election officials who are the custodians of our democracy. With the hope that they all strengthen our faith, Yours Shyam Rangeela.”
Alongside, Shyam, BJP candidate Narendra Modi, Log Party's Vinay Kumar Tripathi, BJP's Surendra Narayan Singh, independent candidates Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Reena Rai, Neha Jaiswal, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Sandeep Tripathi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.
According to the Election Commision of India, a total of 41 candidates have filed nomination papers from the Varanasi constituency.
आप सभी के प्यार और सहयोग से नियमानुसार सभी आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति करते हुए मैंने नामांकन दाखिल कर दिया है, मेरा इस देश के लोकतंत्र पर अभी भी पुरा भरोसा है । अब आगे के दो तीन दिन महत्वपूर्ण होंगे।
— Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) May 14, 2024
आप सभी का सहयोग के लिए बहुत धन्यवाद ।
हमारे लोकतंत्र के पहरी सभी चुनाव अधिकारीयों के… pic.twitter.com/JyIoFGDNli
