Money collected from quarry owners for CM Hassan event: Prajwal

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: JD(S) MP from Hassan Prajwal Revanna alleged that about Rs 4 crore was collected from the owners of quarries and officers in Hassan to meet the expenses of the State government’s programme held in the district in the previous week.

He was referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visiting Banavara hobli of Arsikere taluk in Hassan district on February 14.

He also visited Bhuvanahalli village in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district on Friday.

Prajwal made the comments in Mavinakere village of Holenarasipur taluk in Hassan district on Sunday. He qualified his allegations with the statement that the State government holding a programme was not the issue but expenses were.

“I have said this before. It will cost some Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore. Where is it coming from? Let them have any discussion but facts should come out. This Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore was not spent from the government’s kitty. It came from several quarries and crushers,” Prajwal said, adding that the turn-out at the programmes was also poor.

The general elections are slated for later this year. Congress will find it to be a difficult task to unseat Prajwal, who has the backing of the BJP.

The Grand Old Party currently has only one MLA in Hassan district, namely Shivalinge Gowda, a former JD(S) man who represents Arsikere. JD(S) has three MLAs in the district and BJP has another two.