Waqf issue: BJP demands CBI inquiry into minister's bribery charge against BY Vijayendra
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 16: The BJP on Monday demanded a CBI inquiry into the allegations made by Minister Priyank Kharge of Rs 150 crore "bribe" offer by party chief B Y Vijayendra to former Minority Commission chairperson Anwar Manippadi.
As the Assembly proceedings started, the BJP members raised objections over Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Kharge's accusation in the House last Thursday.
Kharge had alleged that Vijayendra, who is also the Shikaripura BJP MLA, offered Rs 150 crore to Manippadi, a BJP member, not to raise the Waqf land issue.
As Karnataka Minority Commission Chairperson during the previous BJP government in the state, Manippadi had submitted a detailed report on the encroachment of Waqf land in the state and the involvement of bigwigs in it.
ALSO READ: There is video showing ex-Minority Panel chief accusing Vijayendra of trying to 'bribe' him: CM
"The minister had made an allegation in the House in my absence, which was uncalled for. The same was repeated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This was a baseless allegation," Vijayendra said.
He challenged the chief minister to order a CBI inquiry into the alleged Rs 150 crore offer.
Vijayendra also demanded that the minister should apologise for his statement.
The Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, said Kharge made the allegation without giving any prior notice.
In reply, Kharge said his statement is based on Manippadi's interview a few years ago and the media reports.
The issue saw heated arguments by both the BJP and Congress legislators.
Vijayendra had earlier rejected the charge, saying why he would pay bribes to protect Congress leaders involved in Waqf land encroachment.
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.
Dragging Gaurav's family, children into 'Pak link' allegation by Assam CM wrong politics: Priyanka
Guwahati (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links, asserting that dragging his family and children into it is "wrong politics".
After paying homage to Zubeen Garg at his cremation ground 'Zubeen Khetra' at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Vadra said the singer was "above politics" and spread the message of love throughout his life.
"There are two types of leaders in politics -- one who does positive politics and the other who does polarisation. Gaurav Gogoi is doing the politics of love," she said when asked about Sarma's repeated attacks on the Assam Congress chief over alleged Pakistan links.
Vadra asserted that Gogoi is "a positive person, and wants to bring positivity in politics".
"That is why such attacks on him are taking place. People of Assam understand this. But the attacks on Gaurav and his family are the wrong politics. Nobody should attack the family and children (of a political leader)," Vadra said.
Instead of such politics, the Assam CM should "talk about the youth and women of the state, who are looking for jobs", the Wayanad MP said.
"You are seeing how much corruption is taking place. It is just a betrayal of the people of the state," she told reporters.
Talking about her visit to 'Zubeen Khetra' in the morning, Vadra said that she went to the cremation ground to pay her respect to the singer and not do any politics over it.
"Zubeen Garg was above politics. His cremation ground should be a sacred place and should not be used for politics," she added.
VIDEO | Guwahati: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) says, "When we contest elections and talk about leadership in politics, there are two kinds of leaders. One is a positive leader — someone with a positive mindset. Such leaders tell you what they want to do for… pic.twitter.com/52z4HwRitg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2026
