Development work stopped after Congress govt came to power: Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra

BENGALURU: Karnataka BJP unit president B Y Vijayendra on Monday said that development work has stopped in the state after the Congress government came to power. “If it’s about development, there is no development going on in Karnataka. After this government comes into power, the development works have stopped”, he said.

Speaking on the proposal given by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on increasing bus fares, Vijayendra said that everywhere, KSRTC is increasing the prices. Similarly, prices from milk to petrol to diesel to stamp duty have also increased.

“Everywhere, KSRTC is increasing prices. Milk prices have increased, petrol and diesel rates have increased, and stamp duty has also increased. On the other hand, in the name of guarantees, the hike in prices has caused a loss to the common man. The hands of the government have been tied because of their guarantees”, he said.

#WATCH | Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra says, “Multiple scandals and corruptions of government headed by chief minister Siddaramaiah have been exposed. This government assured the people of Karnataka that they would give a corrupt free government. Siddaramaiah before he… pic.twitter.com/fT1FjuFEvh

— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2024

The KSRTC has recently made a proposal for a hike in bus fares of 5 to 20 per cent due to rising fuel prices. KSRTC Chairman S R Srinivas on Sunday said that it has been five years since the last fare increase in 2019, and current economic conditions necessitate an adjustment to cover operational costs and support employee benefits.

Speaking on the Valmiki Corporation scam, Vijayendra said that multiple scandals have been exposed, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He further said Siddaramaiah failed to uplift the ST-SC communities even after he assured them of it before becoming the Chief Minister.

“Multiple scandals and corruptions in the government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have been exposed. This government assured the people of Karnataka that they would have a corrupt-free government. Siddaramaiah, before he became Chief Minister, had assured SC-ST people that he would look into the upliftment of those communities. But this government has failed”, he said.

Last Saturday, a Bengaluru court granted custody to former Karnataka Minister B Nagendra to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged multi-crore Valmiki Corporation scam. The ED arrested Nagendra on Saturday in connection with the scam and produced him before a magistrate.

On July 12, the ED detained the former minister, followed by raids at many places linked to him and MLA Basanagouda Daddal in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds in Valmiki Development Corporation.

The corruption case of Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation came to light after an official of the corporation died by suicide and left a note containing an allegation of multi-crore corruption in the corporation.

The official, identified as Chandrasekaran (45), a resident of the Kenchappa colony in Vinoba Nagar, Shivamogga, allegedly died by suicide on May 26 after leaving a note containing an allegation of multi-crore corruption in the corporation. Chandrasekaran was a superintendent with the MVDC and was posted at its Bengaluru office.

In a six-page suicide note recovered by police, Chandrasekaran mentioned the names of three officials and alleged corruption worth crores in the corporation, demanding action against the named officials. (ANI)