Bengaluru, 5 Dec 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of circulating a "fake narrative" by twisting Upalokayukta B Veerappa's words on "63 per cent corruption" in the State. The CM pointed out that Veerappa was referring to a 2019 report when the saffron party was in power.

Veerappa, speaking to a news channel, clarified that, during a recent book launch event, he was referring to a 2019 report, while speaking about corruption in various states, including Karnataka -- 63 per cent. His statement was picked up by a section of the media without giving context, and the same was misused by politicians, he said.

However, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, reiterated that Veerappa has spoken about 63 per cent corruption under the Congress government, and that he has not mentioned the previous BJP government anywhere, or has made any reference to 2019. 

Siddaramaiah wrote on X, "The BJP is circulating a fake narrative by twisting Upalokayukta B Veerappa's words. He was referring to a report of Transparency International India from 2019, which said corruption in Karnataka stood at 63 per cent when the BJP government under BS Yediyurappa was in power. But BJP leaders, in their hurry to attack us, have only exposed their own record.”

Siddaramaiah added that from the “40 per cent commission regime” to Covid procurement scams, PSI recruitment scam, irrigation project illegalities, and cases where even their own workers levelled charges, the BJP's corruption track record needs no introduction.

"Our government is cleaning up the mess we inherited," he added.

Similarly, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the 40 per cent commission BJP was actually a now a 63 per cent corruption government.

However, Ashoka didn’t back down. 

"Siddaramaiah should watch the video of (the) speech before commenting on this. Siddaramaiah should not imagine everything. I have not created this," he said, noting the Valmiki Corporation scam, MUDA scam and 60 per cent corruption allegations made by contractors.

On X, Ashoka noted that the report was passed in 2019, meaning it covered the 2018 period – when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister.