BENGALURU: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said both the Congress and corruption start with the letter ‘C’.’
Reacting to the Congress allegations of corruption in his government, the CM said, “Congress’s name starts with ‘C’ and corruption also starts with ‘C’. So, they are coterminous. There are more than 60 charges against them and they have been charged by Lokayukta also”.
“Corruption was high during the Congress rule, and all the cases are now being transferred to the Lokayukta. First, let them answer their corruption charges”, CM Bommai said on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah accused the Basavaraj Bommai-led government of taking “40 per cent commission” and giving tenders to those who paid more commission”. “The government is giving tenders to those who paid more commission. Instead, the government should give tenders to those who need them. This is the part where 40 per cent commission is advanced”, Siddaramaiah said.
“We will investigate those who are accused of corruption and favouritism. We have warned the government and officials earlier. We will go to court,” said Siddaramaiah.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala hit out at the BJP, saying that it is mobilising money and raising funds for elections through corruption. “The Bommai government has plans to further 40 pc commission. About Rs 20,000 crore is pending in dues to contractors. The BJP is mobilising money and raising funds for elections through corruption”, he charged.
Surjewala said that once Congress comes to power an inquiry will be constituted.”We are warning all the people involved that when Congress comes into power, we will constitute an inquiry,” he said.
Last August, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah demanded in the State Legislative Assembly an inquiry into charges of 40 per cent commission. He suggested approaching the Lokayukta for probing such cases.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that charges of taking 40 per cent commission for clearing bills are politically motivated. He said, “Charges must be specific and accompanied with evidence. Without this, only baseless press statements are made. I said the same thing to Kempanna (contractors’ association president) when he met me. He was asked to give evidence”. He highlighted that there was total transparency in clearing bills. (ANI)