If Congress govt sets up SIT, it should be monitored by court, says Ashwath Narayan

BENGALURU: Former minister and Malleswaram BJP MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan on Wednesday said that the present Congress government is free to investigate the alleged scams during the BJP government’s tenure, but said that the special investigation team (SIT) should be monitored by the courts.

Addressing media persons, Ashwanth Narayan said if the government sets up an SIT, it should probe the scams in the previous Congress government too. Backing former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s claims on corruption in transfers, Ashwath Narayan said, “This government is indulging in corruption from the first day itself. This government came to power by fooling the people”.

The BJP leader noted that it is quite common for political leaders to issue recommendation letters, but alleged that the present government was effecting transfers for money. “There is corruption in transfers in all departments. They take money and order the transfers. Are all the officers transferred by the Siddaramaiah government certified as clean? But those in power talk like they are King Harischandra”, he remarked.

Further, he said the Congress government’s plan to set up an SIT smacks of politics of vengeance and added that the intention is not good. “It is being done to trouble some people. If they carry out a truthful investigation, I will fall at their feet”, he said. On the issue of contractors’ bills being put on hold, Ashwanth Narayan said their fate has become like falling from the frying pan to the fire. The government has stopped all work and is harassing the contractors for commission, he charged

Referring to former Honnali MLA M P Renukacharya’s comments that Nalin Kumar Kateel should have resigned after the BJP lost the Assembly polls, said it is not right to point fingers at certain individuals alone and that it is collective responsibility. He also said that any such issues should be discussed at the party forums and not in public. There are many eligible candidates for the post of state party president and Opposition leader and all should work together, he said.

The BJP leader noted that the FIR filed against party IT cell chief Amit Malviya will not stand the scrutiny of law. “If we lodge a complaint against the Congress in the same police station, it is not accepted”, he alleged.