Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 18: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Saturday February 18 criticised chief minister Siddarammaiah and claimed that the CD released by the Congress purportedly showing BJP leaders Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar 'hatching a conspiracy' against the state government was 'doctored' in an attempt to 'hide the government's own failures and corruption charges'.
Addressing a press meet here, Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "It has been four years since the Siddaramaiah-led government came to power in the state. Prior to the 2013 elections, Siddaramaiah had assured to give corruption-free government and had also taken a keen part in a padayatra to curb corruption in the state. But the recent developments in the state goverment have not been good, as IT sleuths have raided the residences of Congress women's wing president Laxmi Hebbalkar and minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. IT sleuths have found illegal property worth Rs 162 crore, Rs 42 lac cash and 12 kg of gold at Laxmi Hebbalkar's residence. But chief minister Siddaramaiah has remained a mute spectator.
"There are charges against Siddaramaiah too of taking Rs 150 crore as kickbacks for sanctioning the controverisal steel flyover in Bengaluru. Of the Rs 150 crore, Rs 65 crore has already been paid to the party high command. Details of the amount paid to party bosses in Delhi are available in a diary maintained by Congress MLC Govindraju whose residence was raided by IT sleuths a few days ago. Now where is Siddaramaiah's assurance of giving a corruption-free administration?" he questioned.
"Congress has released the CD of Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar to hide its own faliures and corruption. The CD has been doctored by the Congress and it has been released in an attempt to divert the minds of the people," he claimed.
"The people expected a lot from the present government but it has utterly failed in living up to their expectations. So far, the Siddaramaiah-led state government has not enforced any of the schemes and has instead revoked schemes which were implemented during the tenure of the BJP government in the state. Karnataka is lagging behind in development as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat continue to take the first two spots in development. But Karnataka can be called the No 1 state for corruption under the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah," he said.
"People have lost faith in the present government because of its faliure in the last four years. Hence, BJP has decided to hold a massive protest on February 20 near the DC's office against the corrupt government, demanding sacking of the tainted Congress leaders," he informed.
When asked about the arrest of BJP MLA C T Ravi's close aide on betting charges, Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Investigation will be done and action will be taken in case he is found guilty."
BJP district president Sanjeeva Matandoor, former minister Krishna J Palemar and others were present.