Surjewala alleges BJP’s ‘anti-Kannadiga vendetta,’ claims Karnataka denied Rs 2 lakh crore by Centre
Bengaluru (PTI): AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Sunday said that the Modi-led government and the BJP’s "anti-Kannadiga vendetta" have been exposed, as Karnataka is "denied" its rightful dues of about Rs 2 lakh crore by the Centre.
He added that the deliberate silence of the Karnataka BJP regarding the Modi government's "step-motherly treatment" of Kannadigas' rights and interests cannot remain unpunished, asserting that the BJP has "betrayed" Karnataka and does not deserve the vote.
"The Modi government and the BJP’s anti-Kannadiga vendetta have been exposed in the denial of dues worth Rs 2 lakh crore to Karnataka by the central government. The Modi government has unleashed a sinister conspiracy against Karnataka by blocking core agrarian, irrigation, defence, and infrastructure projects," Surjewala said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the BJP is "harmful" for Karnataka, accusing the saffron party-led government at the Centre of denying budgetary dues, blocking development, and opposing the five Congress guarantees (Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyoti, Yuva Nidhi and Anna Bhagya).
"BJP has betrayed Karnataka, and it does not deserve the vote of Kannadigas," he added.
Claiming that the BJP’s "conspiracy" and "anti-Kannadiga vendetta" stands exposed "threadbare", the Congress leader said that BJP union ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and every single BJP leader need to answer for the stark truth.
"Enmity with Karnataka has led to the denial of its share in taxes and grants from the Centre worth about Rs 2 lakh crore," he said, listing that the denial of Karnataka’s share in the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions resulted in a loss of Rs 79,770 crore; unscientific GST implementation caused a loss of Rs 59,274 crore; and the new GST rationalisation regime led to a direct loss of Rs 9,000 crore, among others.
"In total, the direct loss to the people of Karnataka due to the BJP’s brazen fiscal injustice is Rs 1,97,257 crore, almost Rs 2 lakh crore. Will the BJP leaders answer before seeking votes in Davanagere South and Bagalkot?" he asked.
Alleging the BJP's conspiracy to block agrarian, irrigation, defence, and infrastructure projects in the state, Surjewala claimed it is "an act of revenge" against Kannadigas.
Citing issues concerning various irrigation and drinking water projects pending before the Centre—like the Upper Bhadra River project, Mahadayi (Kalasa-Banduri) project, Yettinahole drinking water project, and Mekedatu irrigation & drinking water project—he said, "BJP leaders of Karnataka, including the union ministers of BJP and JDS, neither have the guts to question the PM nor utter a word seeking justice for Kannadigas."
The AICC general secretary said Karnataka has been denied a defence corridor by the BJP government at the Centre despite contributing 67 per cent of India's aerospace and defence manufacturing.
Karnataka has also been deliberately denied approval for DPR clearance for a "plastic park" in Mangaluru by the union government, he said.
Along with their "sinister silence" on the Modi government's injustice, the Karnataka BJP leaders continue to oppose the five Congress guarantees. Surjewala said that through these schemes, the Congress government has transferred Rs 1.31 lakh crore to Kannadigas. "This makes their patent hatred towards Kannadigas apparent," he alleged.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
TCS case: AIMIM chief Owaisi decries 'media trial' of Nida Khan; asks if possessing burqa is crime
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said it was wrong to associate his party to TCS case accused Nida Khan and asserted the latter will be proven innocent in court.
Khan, a key accused in the TCS sexual harassment-forced conversion case, was arrested from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday by Nashik police, following which AIMIM corporator Matin Patel was booked for sheltering her while she was on the run.
The developments have evoked sharp reactions from ruling Mahayuti leaders, including ministers Sanjay Shirsat and Nitesh Rane, who have called for a deeper probe against the AIMIM in the case.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of his party in connection with the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, Owaisi said Nida Khan is being subjected to a "media trial".
"Nida Khan was transferred from her job before the FIR was registered. We all have seen the statement of TCS. It says she is not connected in any manner to the HR department. Nine FIRs have been registered so far and in one of them, Nida Khan has been named for allegedly hurting religious sentiments," he said.
Asserting that the complainant in the case is a "member of the ruling party", the Lok Sabha MP questioned whether possession of a burqa or a book on Prophet Mohammad was illegal, adding that it is available in every Muslim household.
Earlier, in Delhi, police dubbed some youth as terrorists because a book of (legendary poet) Mirza Ghalib was found in their home, he pointed out.
"This is a media trial and if the media acts like judge and jury, it is dangerous. It will not serve the purpose of justice. We have faith that the court will deliver justice and the girl (Nida Khan) will be proven innocent. This case will not stand in court," Owaisi emphasised.
"This is being done with an intention to harass educated persons from the Muslim community. The allegations are coming out of hatred. The judiciary will play its role. But connecting a party with this case is completely wrong," he further said.
On his party colleague and corporator Matin Patel being booked, Owaisi said the charges will be contested in court.
He claimed such an environment was created after the blasts in Malegaon and Mumbai, but no one went to the families of those incarcerated once the judgement (of acquittal) was delivered.
The allegations against his party in the case at least means "we are not the B team of the BJP", the AIMIM chief added.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police is probing nine cases of molestation and harassment at the IT major's Nashik unit.
It had arrested eight persons, including a female operations manager, by registering nine FIRs after allegations of exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit came to light.
Nida Khan is accused of targeting employees in a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food. According to the FIR, she also allegedly advised women employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions.
TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
