Bengaluru, 19 July

With the opposition parties alleging discrimination in the allocation of development funds to constituencies represented by their MLAs, State Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the Congress government is following the precedent set by the previous BJP regime.

Ruling out any "revenge politics," he said, funds will be allocated based on the developmental needs of constituencies.

BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, had on Friday alleged discrimination, stating that while Rs 50 crore is being allocated to constituencies represented by Congress MLAs for developmental works, BJP and JD(S) constituencies will receive only Rs 25 crore each, according to available information.

The JD(S) too questioned whether it was right to discriminate by not giving equal grants to constituencies represented by BJP and JD(S) MLAs, while allocating Rs 50 crore each to Congress MLAs.

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara reiterated, "Wherever more development work is needed, more funds will be allocated. In relatively developed constituencies, a smaller amount will be provided. This is the yardstick we will follow," he said.

Additionally, Parameshwara on Saturday asserted that the government will look into the demand for an SIT probe into the discovery of bodies in Dharmasthala and take a decision based on the necessities.

"We will make a decision based on the necessities. How can we go for an SIT at the preliminary stage itself? The investigation is currently underway. I have also spoken to the Chief Minister about it," he said.