From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jul 25: KPCC President DK Shivakumar on Monday asserted that he is not going back on his challenge to hold a debate on corruption but is yet decide whether the debate should be with former Chief Minister or BJP president.
Speaking to media persons near his residence in Bengaluru on Monday, he declared that the Congress party is committed to fight against the State Government’s efforts to bury the corruption deeds of the ruling BJP in the State, which is the party’s priority.
Responding to BJP national general secretary CT Ravi’s challenge for a debate on corruption, Shivakumar made it clear that he is not going back on the issue. “The Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government has buried the corruption charge against former minister KS Eshwarappa. Former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, present Chief Minister Bommai and Home Minister Araga Jnanedra have given their statements on the issue. The submission of B Report by the police in the case against Eshwarappa is proof of the issue being hushed up,’’ he said.
Shivakumar said the Congress Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah has demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge. “A young contractor has committed suicide due to the corruption. There are complaints of similar corruption incidents in many other departments,’’ he said pointing out that the government had given a clean chit to Eshwarappa even before police completed their investigation.
After the clean chit given by the government, how can the police function, he asked and asserted that a case on the anti-corruption law must have been first registered against Eshwarappa by the police. “We will fight against this,’’ he declared.
Shivakumar also urged the government to ensure that the issue of 40% commission must be decided first as also the irregularities and scams during the Covid period before talking on the debate against corruption. “Let the complaint by State Contractors Association President Kempanna sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 40% commission in government contracts must first be probed,’’ he demanded.