Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jul 12: Intensifying its attack on the state BJP government over the handling of finances in connection to the coronavirus pandemic, the Congress has launched #LekkaKodi campaign on Twitter demanding the ruling BJP government to give detailed account of the money spent on coronavirus pandemic control and treatment of patients.
Former chief minister and leader of opposition Siddaramaiah in a video on Twitter has posed six questions to the state government in this regard.
"It is the right of the public to ask account of public money spent by the government and the government is bound to give the same as it is their duty. The state government has to inform the public as to how much money is spent so far on the coronavirus pandemic control and what is the amount received from the central government. In addition, how much has been spent by different departments, mainly the market rate of coronavirus related equipment like PPE kit, face masks, sanitizers and test kits. What is the rate that is paid by the government to buy these?" Siddaramaiah tweeted.
Siddaramaiah further asked the Yediyurappa-led BJP government of the state and said, "From which companies have you purchased the coronavirus pandemic control related equipments and goods? How many food kits and packets were distributed during the lockdown time? Taluk and ward wise accounts should be given to the public. How many food kits were given to migrant workers during their travel to their native places? What are the packages that were announced by the union and state governments to people who are in distress?"
"How much has been released so far by the state BJP governemnt as compensation to people engaged in different professions? How much has been spent on the care of coronavirus victims. Complete accounts should be given to the public," urged Siddaramaiah.
Many Congress activists including Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress have started #LekkaKodi campaign on Twitter against ruling BJP government of the state.
Former disciples pose challenge to Siddaramaiah
State BJP has come up with a ploy to get back at the Congress by asking the former disciples of Siddaramaiah, who are holding ministerial position in the ruling BJP government now, to take on the accusation done by the former CM about the alleged scam in the purchase of equpiment for coronavirus pandemic control.
Ministers in the current BJP government, who were formerly in Congress and JD (S), Dr K Sudhakar, B C Patil, S T Somshekhar and K C Narayanagowda have denied the allegation of Siddaramaiah and have asked him to come to Vidhana Soudha where they have challenged to show him the relevant documents for the purchase of equipments.
Dr K Sudhakar expressed his rage on Congress at Chikkaballapur and said, "The purchase of medical equipments for coronavirus pandemic control done by the health department is done in a transparent manner. However, Congress is making baseless allegations for political mileage."
"If former CM Siddaramaiah wants proof of the purchase of medical equipments let him come to Vidhana Soudha," challenged cooperative minister S T Somshekhar in Mysuru.
Agricultural minister B C Patil took to task Siddaramaiah and said, "The amount of purchase of medical equipment for Covid-19 pandemic control has not exceeded Rs 500 to 600 crore. Siddaramaiah's allegations are far from truth."
"As coronavirus pandemic spread its wings, lockdown was announced. Due to this the demand for PPE kit and face mask increased considerably. But the amount of purchase of medical equipments has not gone beyond Rs 500 to 600 crore. Even after knowing this Siddaramaiah is making baseless allegation just for political mileage," said B C Patil.
"Ours is a pro-people government. The allegation of Siddaramaiah is far from truth," said horticultural ministear K C Narayana Gowda in Mandya.