From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 6: Launching a full-scale tirade against BJP-ruled Basavaraj Bommai for being a 'factory of lies', Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP has falsely accused the Chief Minister's office under Congress government of spending a huge sum of Rs. 200 crore on coffee, snacks, and meals during 2013-14 and 2017-18, when the actual expenditure was barely Rs. 3.26 crore.
"This is nothing but an utter lie to divert attention from the scandal involving BJP MLA from Channagiri Virupakshappa Madal's son, Prashant Madal, being caught red-handed by Lokayukta police while taking a cash bribe of Rs. 40 lac and the subsequent seizure of over Rs. 8 crore in cash," Siddaramaiah said.
The Congress leader said the BJP has proved that it is a 'factory of lies' by releasing details claiming that the Congress government has spent a huge Rs. 200 crore on coffee, snacks, and meals.
Siddaramaiah has released a detailed statement to the media on the expenditure incurred by the Chief Minister's office on hospitality, including coffee, snacks, and meals from the years 2013-14 and 2017-18. The year-wise expenditure, as per the statement, is: 13-5-2013 to 30-1-2014 Rs. 85.13 lac; 2014-15 Rs. 58.45 lac; 2015-16 Rs. 39.20 lac; 2016-17 Rs. 66.03 lac; 2017-18 Rs. 77.26 lac or a total of Rs. 3.26 crore, which includes meetings in Chief Minister's office, Janata Darshan, etc.
Although the ruling BJP is fully aware of this, they are trying to mislead people by alleging that Rs 200 crore has been spent. "I want to see if the Chief Minister directs officials to lodge a criminal complaint. If he does not do it, it is apparent that the BJP is making a huge conspiracy of lies," he said.
Referring to BJP's charge that CAG report has not claimed anywhere that there was corruption during Congress rule. What the CAG report said was a discrepancy in the accounts, Siddaramaiah said.
"I have placed facts and figures before the people. Let Bommai place before the expenditure, the expenditures incurred by BJP since July 2019 so that the people know the truth," he said, demanding that the Chief Minister must disclose the details of Rs. 200 crore spent during the Congress rule by the Chief Minister's office.
Siddaramaiah said: "We demand that a judicial probe must be ordered into this alleged claim of spending Rs. 200 crore by the Congress Chief Minister's office along with our charges of the 40% commission and various scams during BJP rule."
The Congress leader accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from the Virupakshappa Madal scandal and other corruption charges against the ruling party.
Siddaramaiah said the BJP's Vijaya Sankalpa yatra is nothing but '40% Samkalpa Yatra' and said the ruling party is merely spreading lies and asked the BJP to prove if it has implemented 10% of its electoral promises and urged the people to throw out the corrupt and ineffective BJP rule.
The Congress leader visited the Kodi Math in Arsikere in Hassan district and received the blessings from Sri Shivananda Rajedra Swamiji. He also unveiled the statue of Sangolli Rayanna at Guttinakere in Arsikere.