HAVERI : Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai claimed on Friday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has intentionally held back the report of the backward classes commission for “political reasons”.
“Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept the report of the backward classes commission with him for political reasons. While that report is not being made public, Rahul Gandhi has been telling lies that his party would get the survey of the backward classes done,” Bommai who is also the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Haveri Lok Sabha constituency said.
Addressing a series of campaigns in the Hangal Assembly constituency on Friday, Bommai accused the state government of doing vengeance politics and creating confrontation in society.
“The CM has kept that report with him but is not ready to make it public. Rahul Gandhi has been promising people of nationwide survey. Now, Rahul had been talking about implementing an inheritance tax according to which the people must pay 55 per cent tax to retain their property,” the former Chief Minister said.
Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for taking an alleged U-turn on property tax, Bommai said, “His father, Rajiv Gandhi abolished this tax to inherit the property of his mother, Indira Gandhi. After public protest, he has been talking about the survey. Rahul owes an explanation on his stand.”
Continuing his attack on the Gandhi family, Bommai said that they were responsible for the inflated assets of some individuals and that people should vote for the BJP to retain their properties.
“A number of freedom fighters including Bhagat Singh sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle and none of them got the benefit of freedom. But the Nehru-Gandhi family got the maximum benefit and its family property swelled up. The Congress party was responsible for the increased assets of Ambani and Adani. People must vote for the BJP to retain their property and for the Congress party to lose their assets,” the former CM said.
Bommai also claimed that women are not safe in Karnataka, especially Dalits and the minorities.
“The CM attributed Neha’s murder to personal reasons. On May 7, the people must vote for the BJP and give the ‘Chembu’ (cup) to the Congress party,” Bommai said.
The sitting MP Shivakumar Udasi, former minister Manohar Tahsildar and former MLA Shivaraj Sajjan were also present at the roadshow at Hanagal Vidhana Sabha constituency of Haveri Lok Sabha constituency.
Speaking about Udasi, Bommai said, “Sitting MP Shivakumar Udasi was a model MP because he sacrificed the constituency despite having chances to win the election. Udasi has done a lot of development in the region. He stepped back from the contest due to personal reasons.”
The first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka concluded on Friday while the next phase is scheduled on May 7. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)