BENGALURU: Launching scathing attacks on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said that the BJP and JD(S) will start a ‘padyatra’ against the looting of the money for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribal Community by the Congress government.
Ashoka said, “We will start a ‘padyatra’ against CM Siddaramaiah. The money for the welfare of the scheduled tribal community has been looted by the Congress government. This is a big scandal in Karnataka and CM Siddaramaiah is involved in all these scams. National leaders of BJP and JD(S) will participate in this ‘padyatra.
“BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra informed that senior BJP and JD(S) leaders discussed corruption in Karnataka at a meeting held on Sunday and decided to take out a seven-day ‘padyatra’ from August 3.
Speaking to ANI after the meeting concluded, BY Vijayendra said, “All the senior leaders from BJP, as well as JD(S), met and discussed in detail the way corruption is taking place in Karnataka under the leadership of Siddaramaiah…In the ST Development Corporation scam, 187 crores meant for the welfare of the scheduled tribe community has been looted by the Congress government, MUDA scam and many other scams which are taking place in Karnataka.”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked why Siddaramaiah had not pursued action against the bank officials involved in the Maharishi Valmiki Corporation Board scam.
Addressing the media at a post-budget press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, Sitharaman said, “Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah can say this because he is quite used to speaking like that. That is not responsible.”
Earlier on July 19, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed a ruckus over the alleged financial irregularities in a state-run corporation, with the opposition BJP and JD(S) staging a protest against the government, accusing it of “loot” and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (ANI)