Siddu to blame for Valmiki Corpn, MUDA scams: Ashoka

NT Bengaluru: The Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is culpable in corruption cases the state government is allegedly involved in. Speaking exclusively to News Trail, he said the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited (KMVSTDCL) illegal money transfer scam happened while Siddaramaiah headed the Finance Ministry.

Ashoka also argued that the CM had misused his position to acquire compensatory sites of greater value for his wife Parvati in relation to the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. Here are excerpts from an interview.

Q. The Opposition has been accused of implicating CM Siddaramaiah in corruption cases where he wasn't personally involved. His argument is that he had no role to play in the Valmiki Corporation scam and that the case is being investigated and the money pilfered is being recovered. How do you respond?

CM Siddaramaiah also holds the finance portfolio. How can a multi-crore scam like the Valmiki Corporation scam happen without the involvement of the finance ministry? Wasn’t the department aware of the illegal transfer of the Valmiki Corporation’s huge funds from the Union Bank’s branch in Vasant Nagar to MG Road branch? When such a huge amount was transferred, why didn't the department’s Principal Secretary conduct any inquiry or was he ordered to remain silent? Didn’t the irregularity come up in the meetings held by the Chief Secretary or did they deliberately turn a blind eye? Weren’t the funds transferred to MG Road branch to escape the scrutiny by NTT (Number Theoretic Transform) module as only those fully conversant with NTT module norms could carry out such huge misuse of funds? Isn’t it correct that Finance Department top officials had colluded in the fraud?

Q. Why do you think the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case merits the CM's resignation?

It is estimated that MUDA scam is worth about Rs 3,800 crores and the (Mysuru) DC (Deputy Commissioner) (Rajendra KV) who has now been transferred to cover up the same, had written more than 15 letters to the State government to look into the matter and show proper directions to MUDA. In spite of that, the government did not act because CM Siddaramaiah's wife has got very valuable land. The compensatory sites which are allotted to CM's wife are in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which has higher property value as compared to the location of the land which was acquired by MUDA. The MUDA has allotted plots to CM's wife under a 50:50 ratio scheme which is against the rules and regulations. So the CM is guilty of nepotism and misuse of power.

Q. The ruling Congress alleged that the BJP is using sitting Governors including Thaawarchand Gehlot to destabilize non- BJP State governments. Is there truth to the allegations?

It is ironic that the Congress party which has a dubious track record of dismissing State governments by misusing Article 356 as many as 90 times is speaking about misusing the Governor's office to destabilize State governments. The Congress government will fall on its own. There are as many as half a dozen CM aspirants who have already thrown their hat into the ring.

Q. Why shouldn't there be sanctions for prosecution against BJP leaders Murugesh Nirani, G Janardana Reddy, Shashikala Jolle and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy?

It is a matter that the honourable Governor has to decide. I can't say anything about it.

Q. Isn't the BJP a divided house? It is said you and party state president BY Vijayendra belong to one camp while Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Ramesh Jarkiholi, CT Ravi etc belong to another. Is that correct?

Not at all. BJP is a party with internal democracy and ideology unlike Congress party which is owned by one family with no ideology. If there are minor differences we will sort it out internally.

Q. Isn't the planned ‘yatra’ from Kudala Sangama to Ballari district against the Valmiki Corporation scam proof of said disunity?

No. Whatever we decide to do or not to do, we will take a collective decision.

Q. BJP MLA and former minister Munirathna is under arrest for rape, bribe demands, death threats and casteist abuse. Doesn't this undermine your party?

This is vendetta politics from the Congress government to divert the attention from their scams and failures. Let’s see if the law will take its own course of action.

Q. Is the upcoming Channapatna Assembly by-poll causing a rift between BJP and ally JD(S)? Will JD(S) contest Channapatna or will BJP MLC CP Yogeshwar be given a chance?

The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) leadership will collectively take a decision at an appropriate time. There is no question of a rift.

Q. With multiple crises like inflation, unemployment, and rural distress gripping the state, how does your party plan to present itself as a viable alternative to the current government in the next elections?

People are fed up with this government and they are waiting to throw out this government. BJP has always had a good track record of good governance and people will bless us once again.

Q. With Karnataka's infrastructure under strain, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, what immediate steps would you take to address urban development challenges, including traffic congestion and waste management?

The city needs a full time Bengaluru Development Minister. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is a part-time minister and full time KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) president. This government is seeing everything through a political lens. The city definitely deserves better.

Q. What's your view on the One Nation, One Election push by the Union government? Do you think it’s realistic?

One Nation One Election is a much needed electoral reform, which will save a huge amount of time, effort and resources. It will also usher in political stability and better focus on governance. The NDA government will definitely implement it in this tenure.