Bengaluru: Lambasting the Congress government on the last day of his three-day visit to Karnataka, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday charged that it was the most corrupt dispensation since independence with Central funds, which were pocketed by ministers, showing up during IT raids.
Reeling off statistics to buttress his allegations against the state government, Mr Shah told the media the government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had launched a disinformation campaign against the BJP-led NDA government in New Delhi though over Rs 2 lakh crore was released to Karnataka. “I would like to know where did these funds go? Accounts of these funds come out when IT raids happen. But ministers are not asked to resign after that. Since independence, I have not seen such a corrupt government. Appeasement has been unleashed and over 30 Sangh activists were murdered. Why did the government drop cases against SDPI? The Congress government only panders to the vote bank,” he added.
Mr Shah charged that the state government had raked issues concerning the language, a separate flag, and separate religion tag for Lingayats merely to divert the attention of people, and wondered why central leaders of Congress were not commenting on such issues. “Why are these issues coming up before polls? He (Mr Siddaramaiah) is nervous. He is raking up these issue. Once the ballot boxes are sealed these issues would subside,” he added.
Exuding confidence that a government headed by state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa would assume office next year, Mr Shah, however, declined to spell out the strategy for next year’s polls on grounds that it would not be made public at a media conference.
He spoke on a plethora of issues at the media conference: from changes brought in political funding to Swachh Bharat, Ujjwala, and the country’s role in study of the impact of climate change.
Excerpts:
What about double standards on corruption? The Kerala unit of BJP faces charges of corruption?
We ordered a probe and we suspended two leaders. We do not tolerate corruption. Mr Siddaramaiah’s double speak on commitment to OBCs. The OBC bill was not passed. I would like to ask Mr Siddaramaiah who claims to champion the cause of OBCs as to why the Congress adopted double standards?.I want to assure that we reintroduce the bill for the welfare of OBCs.
Why are Central agencies unleashing probes/raids on opposition legislators?
Is it fair to lock MLAs from Gujarat when the state is reeling under unprecedented floods? The agencies do their home work before conducting IT raids.
Will a strategy employed in UP work here?
When I went to UP from Gujarat, people said Gujarat is different from UP. When I went to Meghalaya, they said the local politics is different from UP. It is quite natural that Karnataka politics is different.
Any plans for simultaneous elections across the country?
All political parties and the Election Commission have to debate and take a decision on this.
You visited a Vokkaliga Mutt?
It is unfair to call such an institution a Vokkaliga math. An institution which feeds and provides education to over a lakh and half students, cannot be a community institution. I am sure there are students from other communities as well.
Will corruption charges against Mr Yeddyurappa prove a hurdle?
No. The cases are there for over years. Has any charge been proved? No. Then how can you call him corrupt.
BJP’s strategy to win the elections in Karnataka?
Focus on corruption, minority appeasement and farmers woes will be part of the BJP’s campaign.
The BJP does not have candidates for all 224 Assembly seats?
You will see when we announce the list
What is the BJP’s stand on Mahadayi row?
Before the Bharatiya Janata Party was voted to power in 2014, the Congress party was in office in New Delhi and Maharashtra. What did it do? These issues can be resolved through dialogue.
