AH Vishwanath accuses both of ‘fake concern’
BJP MLA AH Vishwanath on Monday criticized former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy for attributing political motives to the income tax raids conducted against an aide of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
Speaking to reporters in Mysore, Mr Vishwanath, a former minister, sought to recall the attacks by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders Siddaramaiah and Mr Kumaraswamy against alleged corruption under Mr Yeddyurappa’s regime.
He said the raids conducted by the Income Tax Department against Yeddyurappa’s associates and the Irrigation Department contractors have instilled confidence in the public that central agencies are working against corruption. He also vehemently asked whether Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Kumaraswamy were “in favor of corruption”.
He asked why the two leaders were complaining when Mr Yediyurappa himself had welcomed the raid. He accused Congress and JD(S) leaders of “fake” concern for Mr Yediyurappa of keeping tabs on the votes of the Veerashaiva community. “Who are you trying to influence? If you are thinking that such statements will bring Veerashaivas to Congress or JD(S), you are a fool. The community is very intelligent,” said Mr. Vishwanath.
tenders
He also claimed that he had raised his voice against corruption in the irrigation department four days before Mr Yeddyurappa resigned as chief minister in July. “I had raised the issue regarding hasty finalization of tenders worth over ₹ 23,000 crore in the irrigation department on July 22, four days before Mr. Yediyurappa resigned,” he said.
Mr Vishwanath claimed that he had not only disclosed the details about finalization of tenders to the media, but had also written letters to senior BJP leaders in New Delhi. The BJP leader alleged that the tenders were finalized in a meeting of not only senior officers of the department but also some MPs.
on Lokayukta
In addition, Mr. Vishwanath trained his guns to “finish” the Lokayukta by depriving Mr. Siddaramaiah of investigating corruption-related cases. He alleged that the former chief minister has curtailed the powers of the Lokayukta to protect himself from prosecution in the Arkavati Layout scam.
He urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to revive the Lokayukta and “peace the spine of the corrupt”.
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