From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Hubballi, Dec 22: KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar has accused the ruling BJP of trying to scuttle Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra by citing flimsy excuses of Covid surge in China just as the Basavaraj Bommai tried to do it for the Mekedatu yatra of the State Congress.

Speaking to media persons at the Hubballi airport on Thursday, Shivakumar attacked the Narendra Modi regime for asking Rahul Gandhi to suspend the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“The State Government filed 4 to 5 cases against me and Siddaramaiah during the Mekedatu padayatra,” he said lashing out at the BJP regime for obstructing the Bharat Jodo Yatra as the Modi regime is unable to stomach its popularity.

He said there was no scientific basis for the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s letter to Rahul Gandhi and alleged that the BJP has directed the state police to advance preparations for holding early assembly polls on the pretext of Covid pandemic surge as per unofficial information.

“Let them conduct the assembly elections any time. We are ready to face the elections,” he declared.

The KPCC Chief said corruption was rampant in the state. The BJP MP Pratap Simha and other leaders have openly claimed on the sale of vice chancellors’ posts for crores of rupees. Widespread corruption is going on by offering jobs to youth on payment of hefty bribes.

“The cooperation minister has become a dummy. Money has not been released even for a single society or Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). The government has totally failed farmers and milk producing farmers,” he said alleging that senior ministers and ruling BJP MLAs were involved in corruption scams.

Shivakumar said cooperation minister Somashekar had become totally ineffective and has not been able to prevent the huge frauds in the cooperative sector. Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai are supporting the accused, he said challenging the State Government to file case against him if what he alleged is not correct.

“BJP has become the varsity of corruption," he claimed and said he cannot be silenced by unleashing CBI or ED against him.