"They(BJP) have scored marks only in corruption, not in development. They have developed themselves’’

By Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

News Trail: According to the Congress party, has corruption increased after the BJP came to power three years ago or has it always existed?
Priyank Kharge: Corruption has existed for many decades but in the last three years, it has reached its peak after the BJP came to power in 2019. Since then we have seen more corruption than development. I am not saying corruption never existed but never in the history of Karnataka have ministers and MLAs of the ruling party complained about corruption in their own government. A cabinet minister writes to the governor about the interference of the CM and his children in the functioning of his ministry. Registered organisations are openly claiming that ministers are demanding 40 per cent commission. A seer comes out saying officials are demanding a 30 per cent cut for the release of grants by the government. Such practices are hurting the people a lot. There is corruption everywhere from traffic fines to government schemes. The government has failed to curb it and lives in denial mode. They must first accept the facts so that they can find solutions but they are not ready to do this.

NT: Do you think corruption has reached its peak?
PK: The prevailing commission rate in Karnataka is 40 per cent and we don’t know when they will take it to 60 per cent. The massive corruption in the police sub-inspectors selection exam speaks volumes about how deep corruption has sunk its tentacles. An average of Rs 50-60 lakh was demanded from over 300 candidates which comes to around Rs 210 crore. Some candidates have even told me that the commission ranges from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1.20 crore per candidate.

NT: Has the CM failed to check corruption or is he not getting the co-operation of his cabinet colleagues?
PK: When you are party to it, how will you check it? What happened in the Bitcoin scandal? The investigation is completely stalled as they would be exposed. After filing the chargesheet, what have they done? Where is the money trail leading to? How will they investigate when you have a role in corruption?

NT: As an opposition party, you have been hitting the streets and holding dharnas. But why can’t the Congress take the struggle to its logical end?
PK: After we protested, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S.Eshwarappa resigned. Is it not the logical end? Now, the Congress has exposed the gross irregularities in the PSI selection. We blew the lid and now the government has handed over the investigation to the CID. Is it not taking things to their logical end? We did not have jurisdiction over the Bitcoin scandal to investigate more. Now we are taking the issue of corruption to the people’s court. If we have to really fight it out, we will have to come to power and order a re-investigation into all these scams so that the law of the land prevails and the guilty are punished.

NT: Why can’t you take these issues to court for a fair trial and punishment to the guilty?
PK: We have filed a PIL in the Borewell scam under the Ganga Kalyana scheme. We had exposed it.

NT: Do you think the BJP has scored more marks in corruption than in development?
PK: They have scored marks only in corruption and not in any development activity. They have developed themselves.

NT: Tell us something about the Congress. How well prepared are you for the 2023 Assembly polls?
PK: Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar are touring all districts to strengthen the party base and rejuvenate our workers at the grassroots.

NT: Is the Congress Party ready for an early election?
PK: We are ready whenever the elections are held. Our leaders and workers are in an upbeat mood to go to polls.

NT: Recently, former president of AICC Rahul Gandhi said that a new Congress must rise from Karnataka with special focus on youth and women. How do you read his statement?
PK: Rahuji’s idea is to infuse new blood in the party and take up youth issues such as unemployment. Keeping