BJP's Ashoka Intensifies Corruption Allegations Against Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Dec 5 (PTI): The ongoing war of words over corruption in Karnataka took another turn on Friday, with BJP leader R Ashoka intensifying his attacks on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the ruling Congress government. Ashoka asserted that while foolishness can be overlooked, there is no room for "shamelessness" in public life.

The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly accused the Congress government, barely 30 months into its tenure, of surpassing all previous records of corruption-related controversies. This followed CM Siddaramaiah's response to a social media post by Ashoka. The Chief Minister pointed out that Justice Veerappa's controversial claim of "63 per cent corruption" was based on reports from November 2019, during BJP's B S Yediyurappa's tenure. Siddaramaiah argued that Ashoka's misinterpretation of Veerappa’s statement inadvertently implicated his own party.

Ashoka retorted, stressing, "Political foolishness can be forgiven, but it is crucial to avoid becoming shameless, especially when seated in the Chief Minister's chair." Addressing Siddaramaiah, Ashoka referenced an Rs 87 crore scam in the Valmiki Development Corporation acknowledged by the CM on the Assembly floor. Ashoka emphasized that such an admission should lead to swift corrective action and accountability. "Instead of taking responsibility, you behave as if nothing transpired. What else should the people of Karnataka term this, if not shamelessness?" he questioned.

The BJP leader highlighted a statement made by the CM’s Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA, Basavaraja Rayareddy, who publicly claimed Karnataka was leading in corruption under Congress rule. Ashoka expressed surprise that Siddaramaiah remained in his position with no evident introspection or accountability. He also referenced a "money for House" scam whistleblown by senior Congress MLA C R Patil, causing internal warnings of potential government collapse if further details emerged. "Despite grave allegations from within your party, there is neither an inquiry initiation nor actions taken against the implicated minister. What else should this be called but shamelessness?"

Ashoka further spotlighted the "40 percent commission" accusation the Congress had leveled against the previous BJP government, noting that an official commission under Siddaramaiah’s government found the claims baseless. "With your panel itself disproving your accusations, what moral authority do you claim to repeat these allegations? This is sheer shamelessness," Ashoka stated.

The state, he claimed, has been engulfed in corruption and scandals across various departments during Siddaramaiah’s administration. "Listing every scandal under your government would take more than 24 hours," Ashoka pointed out. He highlighted the dire consequences, including distress and suicides among officers and contractors due to widespread corruption, notably citing the suicide connected to the Valmiki Development Corporation scam.

Rather than addressing these concerns, Ashoka accused the government of suppressing complaints and silencing dissent. "Being foolish is forgivable, but remorseless shamelessness in public life is unprecedented," he stated. When internal members of your party acknowledge scams and corruption, and yet, you cling to power without accountability, it is shamelessness in its purest form.

Ashoka had earlier called for a CBI investigation into the allegations against the Congress government, spurred by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa’s alleged statement of "63 per cent corruption." This demand led to Siddaramaiah's critical response to Ashoka.