From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 23: JD(S) Legislative Party leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday lambasted the ruling BJP and his former ally Congress and termed both parties as most corrupt.

Addressing the media persons at the residence of JD(S) Deputy Legislative Party leader BandeppaKashempur in Bidar on Saturday, he said BJP Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has completely failed in providing a transparent and corruption free administration.

Kumaraswamy alleged that large-scale corruption and irregularities were taking place in the government recruitments. While a bribe rate ranging from Rs 25 to 50 lakh has been fixed for appointment of employees of Milk Producers Cooperatives, he said the bribe rate for recruitment of assistant commissioners ranges from Rs 1 to 1.5 crore.

The JD(S) leader claimed that several people were running around even after paying the hefty bribes without getting jobs and alleged that Rs 25 to 50 lakh is the going rate for appointments in the cooperation department.

He said there was large-scale corruption in the exams for the recruitment of police sub inspectors and argued that Home Minister AragaJnanedra has totally failed.

When asked about Agriculture Minister BC Patil’s statement that he was most competent to handle the Home Department, Kumarawamy countered with the point that BC Patil should explain how he is efficient and most competent and expressed his disappointment at the minister.

The former Chief Minister alleged that some people were clicking photographs with prominent leaders and misusing them. "There are some people who earn Rs 52 crore per hour,’’ he claimed.

Turing his fire at Congress, the JD(S) leader argued that the party’s claims of fighting against corruption was hollow and charged that the Congress government was responsible for virtually making the Lokayukta ineffective. The Congress and BJP are two sides of the same coin, he said.

The JD(S) leader promised to provide honest and transparent administration if the party was voted to power. "I have never demanded percentage while awarding government contracts for any project. No contractors were allowed inside my official chambers. I have given strict instructions to ensure that the works were executed in time without any delay,’’ he asserted.

He said the recent violent incidents in Hubballi were because of the wrong policies of the ruling party and the attempts to mix religion and politics. The government has failed to handle the situation in humanitarian manner. Even when the coalition government was formed with Congress, it was Siddaramaiah who opposed the waiver of farm loans claiming it was impractical. It was Rahul Gandhi who directed its implementation in view of the farm distress, he said.

Kumaraswamy said the Congress party has no right to criticize the Janata Jaladhare campaign by his party as it was the Congress rule that was mainly responsible for the injustice on irrigation issues.

Urging the people to give one opportunity to rule the State, he vowed to dissolve the party if his government failed to fulfill its promises in 5 years.

JD(S) leaders BandeppaKashempur and district president Ramesh PatilSolapur were among the prominent leaders who accompanied Kumaraswamy.