From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 14: A day after Senior Congress leaders and Cabinet Ministers released video clips on Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa allegedly confirming in an off-the-guard conversation with Union Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals Minister Ananth Kumar during the State BJP Core Committee meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday that huge sums of money had been paid to the BJP high command during his rule, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has challenged the former BJP Chief Minister to prove his charges that he had paid Rs 1000 crore to the Congress high command.
"I will resign from office (as CM) if the BJP proves its charge that I had paid Rs 1000 crore to Congress high command to retain my post," he said and asked Yeddyurappa to accept his challenge and prove his charges or quit.
The Chief Minister made the challenge during the course of his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address to the joint session of the State legislature and asked Yeddyurappa and BJP leaders to prove their charges or quit from politics
There was noisy and unruly scenes in the State legislative assembly on Tuesday as the ruling Congress and opposition BJP have levelled charges against each other on Income Tax Department raids on residences of ruling Congress leaders and allegations over a charge of Chief Minister paid a huge sum to the high command.
A combative Siddaramaiah termed IT raids on the residence of Congress leaders, including Minister Ramesh Jarkiholias “a political conspiracy”.
The IT officials are targeting only Congress leaders, he said and silent on the BJP leaders in the State and other parts of the country.
Opposition members took strong exception to Siddaramaiah claiming credit to his government to the World Economic Forum’s description of Bengaluru city as the “most dynamic city” in the world.
The Chief Minister said crime rate in the city has declined compared to previous years.
However, BJP Leader of the Opposition JagadishShettar said the government should also claim the credit for transforming the city as “garbage” and unsafe” city.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said the World Economic Forum had given recognition to the City owing to establishment of MNCs and not due to better infrastructure facilities.
BJP leader BasavarajBommai said like the previous chief ministers Siddaramaiah too can claim the credit for the City’s fame in the global economy.
Dr Ashwathnarayana of BJP said the City has been facing severe drinking water and infrastructure problems and the Government has done nothing.