From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 15: In a scathing response to the charges levelled by the State Congress leaders against his BJP government regarding the alleged award of short term tenders at inflated rates without following any norms, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday challenged the Congress leaders to first answer to the alleged tender scams when the party was in power.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BJP Constituency in-charge persons, he said the Lokayukta was investigating the scandals and irregularities during the Congress rule.

Bommai was responding to questions from the media persons over the allegations levelled by KPCC President D K Shivakumar, Congress opposition leader Siddaramaiah, AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and other leaders on the hurried approvals accorded to several short term tenders without following the prescribed norms in all departments to ‘loot money’ and also the recruitments carried out by demanding payments of Rs 25 to 30 lakh for each post.

“The Congress leaders must have remembered the scams during their rule and are levelling allegations against BJP,’’ he said and alleged that the Congress leaders were ‘threatening the contractors not to execute works’ and they are warning that they will come to power and investigate all the contracts awarded during the last six months.

Bommai said the Congress leaders have only one agenda of making money and looting the funds if they come to power. “None of the charges pertaining to 40% commission have been proved. They promised to provide documentary evidence in court. But are yet to do so. Let them lodge a complaint with any authority and it will be investigated,’’ he said criticising the firing in the air without any basis.

The Chief Minister said the letter by BJP MLA Goolihatti Shekar is 'of a general nature' and there is no specific charge or complaint.

“Let him (BJP MLA) or anybody furnish details and evidence. I promise it will be investigated,” he said and pointed out that he has stated the government’s position on the floor of the legislature.

“It is our policy and stand that any complaint against anybody, including an officer, will be investigated if there is proof,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the Congress party has ruled the State for 5 years. They have also called for several tenders when they were in power. “After we came to power, we have set a policy of examining the tenders by a committee headed by a judge. All the tenders are scrutinised and the entire process is transparent. Anybody is free to lodge a complaint with evidence,” he declared.

Bommai alleged that Shivakumar during his tenure as Irrigation Minister had abolished the tender scrutinising committee and also the process of examining the tender proposals. “It was under his (Shivakumar) tenure that the highway for corruption was opened. After we formed the government, we have reintroduced the tender scutinising committees and made the entire process transparent. So they have no moral right to speak to criticise the BJP government’s tendering process,” he added.

State BJP Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, former Chief Minister B S Yediyutappa and State BJP in charge Arun Singh and other leaders attended the party meeting at a private hotel.