Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Aug 6: Former MLA Abhayachandra Jain criticised the BJP over protest against the MUDA scam, stating that the party's 'Padayatra' is being organised luxuriously. He also took a dig at H D Kumaraswamy, claiming that despite calling himself a farmer's son, he stays in 5-star hotels.

Addressing the media on Monday, August 5, at the Congress office in Mallikatte, Mangaluru, Jain said, "The BJP came into power by accusing the Congress of being a dynastic party. In 2005-2006, the BJP and JD(S) contested elections together, and for 20 months, Yediyurappa was the chief minister, amassing a lot of money. I have heard that Yediyurappa's sons used to sign his documents. Later, Yediyurappa refused to give a seat to Kumaraswamy and even vowed to eradicate the Deve Gowda family from politics. When Yediyurappa came into power, there were major scams like the mining scam, with Janardhana Reddy supporting him. The BJP's ideology is to disturb societal peace."

He added, "In 2012, the Congress held the 'Bellary Chalo' initiative. Janardhana Reddy threatened us, but Siddaramaiah declared we would protest everywhere. The BJP's 'Padayatra' is a luxurious event, and Kumaraswamy, despite claiming to be a farmer's son, stays in luxury hotels. His entire family is in politics, unlike the people who fought for our country's freedom. Siddaramaiah started the Anna Bhagya Yojana immediately after coming to power, something no other Chief Minister did. Manmohan Singh's government later implemented 5 kg of rice for everyone."

Jain further stated, "The BJP talks about the MUDA scam, forgetting that Basavaraj Bommai was the Chief Minister at the time. Siddaramaiah is being unfairly targeted by the BJP and JD(S), but the people and Congress workers will support him. He is one of the best-performing ministers, always instructing us to connect with the common man. The BJP thinks they can use the Governor to destabilise the Congress government, but no one can remove Siddaramaiah. There is no place for dictatorship in Karnataka. During our 'Bellary Chalo' padayatra, we stayed in government schools and are not afraid of BJP and JD(S) tactics. The Congress will stand with the poor, while the BJP attacks our State President, D K Shivakumar, who rose through his own struggles, unlike Kumaraswamy."

Padmaraj R Poojary, Congress MP candidate, added, "The BJP's unethical politics are sprouting in society, while the Congress stands with the poor. The BJP promised much before coming to power but now engages in hateful politics, using ED and CBI to silence the opposition. In many states, the BJP has bought MLAs to remove Congress from power. There is nothing against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah; no payments were made by MUDA. Our government wanted to investigate the issue, but the BJP started protesting prematurely. The people and Congress workers will support Siddaramaiah and educate the public about the reality."

When questioned about Rahul Gandhi staying in 5-star hotels, Jain responded, "We allied with JD(S) to prevent them from aligning with BJP. Other parties misled people, accusing Congress of being dynastic, but they built their own families. Rahul Gandhi never claimed to be a farmer's son; his great-grandfather was a wealthy person who contributed significantly to the nation."

Mithun Rai, M S Mohammad, Vinaya Raj, Naveen D'Souza, T K Sudheer, Neeraj Pal, Vikas Shetty, Shubhodaya Alva, and others were present.