Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jul 20: BJP ministers R Ashok, Katta Subrahmanya Naidu and Bacche Gowda, along with member of parliament D B Chandre Gowda, have threatened to move a breach of privilege motion against former chief minister H D Kumaraswami in both the assembly and the council, for levelling false allegations against Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, about the latter’s involvement in the land purchase scandal of Karnataka Housing Board, in connivance with former minister Krishnaiah Shetty, apart from moving a libel suit against him.
Addressing a joint press conference here on Sunday July 19, they asked Kumaraswami either to provide documentary proof for what he has said, or tender public apology.
"If a person discusses issues that are being deliberated by the legislature outside it, such an action attracts provisions of breath of privilege. Lok Sabha member Kumaraswami has shown utter disrespect to the state assembly by raking up the issue of scandal in a public forum, said D B Chandre Gowda.
Transport minister R Ashok said that a scandal involving acquiring land for Rs 375 crore by enhancing the original outlay of of Rs 300 crore without even an action plan in place, had taken place, when Kumaraswami was the Chief Minister, for the Rajiv Gandhi University in Ramnagar. This scandal is already under the Lokayukta investigation. The sum of Rs 33 crore he had paid to an Andhra Pradesh contractor towards the enhanced price in violation of norms was recovered by the BJP government. In place of the prevalent price of three lac rupees per acre, Kumarswami had ordered payment of Rs 37 lac per acre, he stated. Ashok said, several such scandals have taken place in the past. He also ridiculed Kumaraswami's commitment towards the farmers, by pointing out that he had opposed the proposal to waive farm loans and reduce farm loan interest when in power. Ashok surmised that Kumaraswami has been trying to level unfounded charges against the Chief Minister, as he is frustrated at losing Karnataka Milk Federation that was in the clutches of his family for long.
Minister Bacche Gowda said that a land scam, in which farm land worth Rs 5,200 crore was sanctioned to a person named Nikhil Gandhi for Nandagudi special economic zone, is also under the Lokayukta scanner. He challenged Kumaraswami to provide proof about the allegation that the CM owns property worth Rs 500 crore in Hyderabad and stop employing escapist methods like claiming to come out with records as and when necessary.
Katta Subrahmanya Naidu charged Kumaraswami with indulging in derogatory politics because of the forthcoming assembly by-poll. He claimed that he possesses records about Kumaraswami’s involvement in allotting land illegally to Vishwabharati Housing society.