I will reply in assembly against BJP's 'baseless' allegations: CM Siddu

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Taking strong objection to the allegations of BJP leaders that the state Congress government is indulging in corruption, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on Saturday that he would respond to the latter's accusations in the upcoming assembly session.

Speaking to reporters, he emphasized that his government is making every effort to ensure a peaceful administration and to build a progressive state without engaging in vindictive politics.

However, opposition leaders, including former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, are issuing hit-and-run statements without attempting to substantiate their allegations.

"He even failed to prove his allegations in the recently held assembly session after flashing a pen drive. Let Kumaraswamy reveal the names of ruling party MLAs who prevented him from disclosing the revelations of his pen drive charges against his government. The former chief minister has no moral right to speak against corruption as he himself paid a penalty for power theft, even though the issue was not a serious crime," he stated.

Siddaramaiah asserted that Kumaraswamy is desperate, issuing prejudiced statements against him and indulging in vindictive politics.

"There is no need to reply to all the allegations of Kumaraswamy. People have reduced JD(S) MLA seats from 38 to 19 in the last assembly polls," he added.

Responding to the elevation of Padmanabhanagar MLA R Ashok as the leader of the opposition in the state legislature, Siddaramaiah mentioned that his government is not bothered about who holds the position of the leader of the opposition.

Instead, the focus is on implementing all poll guarantee schemes announced for the welfare of the people in the state.

Referring to the launch of a poster campaign against him by the opposition BJP, he noted that the people of the state have already rejected the previous BJP government for its misrule and corruption, reducing it to 66 seats to sit in opposition for five years.

"Both BJP and JDS leaders dreamed of forming a coalition government, but their aspirations were shattered after the announcement of the results. As Congress has secured 136 seats, both the opposition party leaders are desperate, issuing statements against his government in malice," Siddaramaiah emphasized.

In response to BSY's statement on the BJP coming back to power if assembly elections are held right now, Siddaramaiah questioned why various BJP leaders are upset after the elevation of his son as the State BJP unit president.

He challenged BJP leaders to explain why Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jharkhiholi walked out from the meeting during the selection of the leader of the opposition.

"With various BJP leaders miffed with their party's top brass over the selection of both the state unit chief and LOP, wait and watch what will happen in BJP soon," he added.

The Chief Minister also confirmed that elections to Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) will be conducted as per the schedule without postponing it. A detailed discussion will be held before making this election announcement.

Regarding H D Kumaraswamy's tweets on the transfer of Vivekananda, Siddaramaiah clarified that the officer is currently working as the Block Education Officer in Mysuru rural circle.

He specified that he was referring to the education officer Vivekananda, not the police officer Vivekananda, who was transferred from V V Puram police station in the Chamaraja assembly segment.