Lokayukta report has cleared previous BJP govt from 40% commission charges, claim party leaders
Bengaluru (PTI): The BJP in Karnataka on Sunday claimed that the Lokayukta probe has cleared the party's previous government from 40 per cent commission charges, and that the allegations levelled by the Congress against it as completely "false".
The BJP leaders said that it is proved that the 40 per cent commission allegation was part of the Congress' "tool kit".
During the 2023 Assembly polls, the then opposition Congress had used the Karnataka State Contractors' Association 40 per cent commission charge as a major weapon to corner the then BJP government, which is said to be one among the factors that led to the saffron party's debacle in the election.
"....it is proved that the 40 per cent commission allegation made against BJP is false. We have come out of it....Congress using the (the then) state contractors' association president Kempanna and vice president as its tool kit, had alleged that the government was taking 40 per cent commission. A case was registered based on that, and the truth has now come out, " Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the contractor (R Ambikapathy), who had made allegations against the then government and had claimed to have given the commission, had in fact not worked as a contractor for six years.
"So this contractor and other unemployed contractors became part of a Congress tool kit and made allegations against the Basavaraj Bommai government calling us 40 per cent Sarakara (government). BJP workers questioned us about the allegations, today they are happy that this was bogus and a tool kit of Congress and Siddaramaiah (then leader of opposition)," he alleged.
Pointing out that the Congress government was unable to prove the charges in the last sixteen months after coming to power, Ashoka said they have not submitted the documents in the High Court, where the case is on.
"...Now the Lokayuukta has given the clean chit stating that when one has not worked as a contractor for six years, where is the question of giving a commission...." he said.
The current Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is "60 per cent commission government", he further alleged and said, "We have given evidence for our allegation, but they (Congress) had not, when they made allegations against BJP". He citied Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam, MUDA scam, among others, and hit out at Siddaramaiah.
Veteran BJP leader and former CM B S Yediyurappa, speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, said, "Lokayukta probe itself has said it (allegations were false). I appeal to them (Congress leaders) to speak carefully hereon, understanding that making such false allegations is of no use."
In Hubballi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the ruling Congress should apologise for making false allegations.
"We have been saying since the beginning that the 40 per cent commission allegation is false. Now Lokayukta is said to have come to the conclusion and has prepared a report. I have seen media reports on it...," he said.
Earlier in the day, reacting to BJP's claims, Home Minister G Parameshwara said he was not aware about the basis of such claims.
Hitting back at the BJP, the minister said it is wrong to say that Congress came to power only because of the 40 per cent commission campaign against the then BJP government, as there were also guarantee schemes among other things.
"It may be BJP's claim that Congress came to power by constantly levelling 40 per cent commission charge against the previous BJP government.
"The then state contractors' association president Kempanna, who is now no more, had written to the PM alleging corruption and 40 per cent commission was being collected, during the BJP government. Based on it, Congress as a party, in the interest of the people, had taken up the issue," he added.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
