BENGALURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah sought to blunt accusations from opposition BJP and JD(S) over financial irregularities in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, asserting that while funds were indeed misappropriated, it happened without his knowledge.
In the same tenor, he accused Karnataka BJP of continuing protests on instructions from its high command in Delhi and RSS, with the sole intention of defaming him and his govt.
“We are not saying no irregularities took place,” Siddaramaiah said. “But we took swift action as soon as we got wind of it. We are also committed to taking legal action against all culprits. Let sleuths complete the investigation, everyone will get to know who was behind it.”
He was continuing his reply Friday to a lengthy debate on the alleged scam in the assembly after his speech on Thursday was cut short due to disruption by BJP.
“Despite the govt setting up a SIT after the scam came to light and arresting 12 persons, BJP has continued its protests. It shows they [BJP brass] have an ulterior motive to defame me and paint my govt as anti-SC/ST. They are doing it on instructions from BJP central brass and RSS. But they will not succeed,” Siddaramaiah said amid protests by BJP seeking his resignation. He also later addressed a press conference to defend himself and his govt.
He took strong objection to demands that he resign, saying Rs 89 crore of the corpora-tion money deposited in Union Bank of India (UBI) was illegally transferred to various accounts.
“The management of Union Bank of India, in its complaint to CBI, admitted theinvolvement of bank officials,” Siddaramaiah said. “Funds were transferred when general elections were going on, and the model code of conduct was in force. Why did income tax departmentnot inquire about these transactions? Why did the bank not bring it to the notice of the Election Commission? This clearly shows it is a scam committed by bank staff, the corporation, and private persons,” he said.
He said B Nagendra, who was forced to resign, was arrested based on the suicide note of P Chandrashekaran and a purported phone conversation between two accused. He said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being used against opposition parties by the BJP-led govt at the Centre.
He also listed alleged scams during BJP’s tenure, calling the opposition party the “pitamaha of corruption”. He asserted that his govt will ensure that they “pay” by sending “those who committed wrong to jail”.
He said these scams, when BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai were at the helm, involved much higher amounts. He cited Rs 87 crore from the Bhovi development corporation, Rs 47 crore from the APMC revolving fund, Rs 22 crore from the disabled welfare department, Rs 47 crore from the Devraj Urs truck terminal, Rs 430 crore in Ganga Kalyan Yojane, and Rs 500 crore from Keonics as amounts that had been swindled.
Earlier, BJP and JD(S) staged a protest, accusing the govt of “looting” the state. R Ashoka, leader of the opposition and others shouted slogans such as “Bhagavad Gita from demon’s mouth,” “Down, down anti-Dalit and corrupt govt,” and “Down, down the govt and CM that looted Rs 187 crore”.
