Ramanagara, 3 August

BJP and JD(S) are deeply entrenched in corruption, said Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during a Janandolana (People’s March), which runs counter to NDA’s padyatra, in Ramanagara on Saturday. "Corruption is like family to BJP and JD(S) — it's their father, mother, brother and sister,” Shivakumar said.  

Shivakumar dismissed statements from JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who claimed that Shivakumar was orchestrating false cases against him. “I've faced the legal system and the cases against me and my family. The people of the State gave me 135 seats for a reason," he said.

The KPCC President criticised Union Minister Kumaraswamy for blaming him in a pen drive case involving former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna. “Kumaraswamy initially accused me, then shifted the blame to Gowda (BJP MLA Preetham Gowda). Why is Kumaraswamy participating in the padayatra if Gowda was involved? Why is BJP silent on these allegations?" he questioned.

About BJP State President BY Vijayendra’s claim that he is the “father of corruption," Shivakumar said there were scandals, including the PSI scam, during BJP's tenure. Why BJP leaders did not demand resignations from those involved then? What did his father (BS Yediyurappa) do to go to jail? Why did his father resign after shedding tears? Why did the Governor permit his prosecution when he was the CM? He should answer these questions,” he asked.

The Deputy Chief Minister said BJP had advertised in newspapers about former JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s alleged land grabs and corruption. “Can the BJP leaders answer these allegations now?” he asked.

Turning to recent political manoeuvres, Shivakumar said the current Congress government, led by him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, would remain stable despite attempts to destabilise it. He criticised BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for corruption and misuse of power. “BJP neither took out a padayatra for the cause of Cauvery or Mekedatu nor for youth employment or farmers’ welfare. But now they are taking out a padayatra for this (MUDA scam),” he noted.

Shivakumar challenged Kumaraswamy to fulfil his promises of job creation and industrial development in Mandya and Hassan. “Kumaraswamy said he would create 10,000 jobs in Mandya. He also promised to set up industries in Hassan. Our Congress government in Karnataka is ready to support you in this endeavour.”

“We conducted a ‘Government at your Doorsteps’ programme at Channapatna which gathered 22,000 pleas. No sites have been allotted to the people of Channapatna for 20 years. I have instructed MLA Iqbal Hussain to ensure that sites are allotted at any cost. We are preparing for it,” he said. -Salar News