No commission allegation on Congress by contractors, says Priyank Kharge
'Contractors have asked for clearance of bill'
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has refuted the BJP's allegation that the Congress government in the state has demanded 15 per cent commission from the BBMP contractors, stating that the contractors' association has not accused the government of asking for commission but only asked to be paid for their services at projects.
Speaking to the media at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, Kharge called it merely an act of desperation by the BJP. “The contractors' association has not stated anywhere that the government has asked them for a commission. The contractors have only said that their bills have not been cleared by the government,” said the minister.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Minister DK Shivakumar have already clarified on the matter. The Chief Minister has additionally said that the contractors will be paid after completion of the work. The BJP, however, has continued making its charges. Do I consider that the BJP itself has taken a bribe to do so?” asked Kharge.
He suggested to the BJP to concentrate now on selection of the Opposition Leader for the Karnataka Assembly rather than criticize the Congress government.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai had said earlier that the contractors' association had spoken to senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too, about the 65 per cent commission demanded by the Congress government.
“Rahul Gandhi, who claims to be intolerant of corruption, should intervene in the matter and ensure that the contractors' bills is cleared. If he fails to do so, it would mean that Karnataka is an ATM for the Congress,” Bommai told reporters at his RT Nagar residence in the city on Thursday, after receiving a memorandum from the office-bearers of the BBMP Contractors' Association requesting that their bills be cleared.
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Surathkal: Body of man from Uttar Pradesh found in sea waters in Kulai
Surathkal: The dead body, identified as that of a 35-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Qureshi, was found off shore at Kulai, Chitrapur, on Friday evening.
The identity of the man was confirmed using the documents found in the pant pocket, police officers have said.
The cause for death, however, is yet to be ascertained. The police suspect Qureshi to have died when he went for a swim in the sea but have said that it could also be a case of suicide.
A case has been filed at the Surathkal Police Station. Further investigation is underway.
