After minister resigns, heat on Valmiki Corporation president Basanagouda Daddal

BENGALURU: After minister B Nagendra resigned voluntarily following the Rs 183 crore scam in the Maharashi Valmiki Schedule Caste Development Corporation, its president and MLA Basanagouda Daddal now finds himself in the line of fire.

Basanagouda Daddal was allegedly in touch with the eighth accused in the case on WhatsApp. The lawyer for the accused has sought an investigation into it. However, Basanagouda Daddal has maintained that he knew nothing about the scam. He claimed that he had not visited the corporation office as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force for the Lok Sabha election.

Speaking to Public TV, he said, “The issue has not come to my notice. I took charge in February and after that, we had held 5-6 meetings after which the Model Code of Conduct came into effect. After that, I have not visited the office or held any review meeting. We will hold a review meeting after the MCC is lifted and all issues will come to light”.

To a question on how the transfer of funds did not come to his attention, he said, “When the MCC is in force, MLAs and ministers are not supposed to visit any offices or hold review meetings. The SIT and the CBI are carrying out separate investigations and the truth will come out soon”.

To a question on his WhatsApp chats and call records, Daddal said the investigators will look into everything. “If any of our role is found, we will be summouned and we will give our replies. Nobody is above the law. If the CM and our state leaders suggest, I am ready to resign”.