From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 28: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has questioned former BJP Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other party leaders regarding their apprehensions about investigations into alleged corruption and other wrongdoings within the BJP government. He pondered why they exhibit fear if they truly uphold their claim of honesty.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Shivakumar highlighted that Congress leaders have made grave allegations of irregularities related to the handling of the Covid pandemic and relief efforts, the oxygen cylinder tragedy, the police sub-inspectors recruitment scam, and the 40% commission accusations involving State contractors. He inquired whether the BJP government has conducted any investigations in response to these allegations.

"We are aware of the actions taken by the BJP government and we are currently conducting investigations. If the BJP leaders are genuinely honest, why do they resist a judicial inquiry into the misconduct of their government?" Shivakumar questioned.

Responding to claims by BJP leaders that the judicial probe into Covid-related scandals is driven by "vendetta politics" on the part of the Congress party, Shivakumar pointed out that the widow of contractor Santhosh Patil from Belagavi approached him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently, seeking justice.

Shivakumar also criticized the actions of the previous BJP government under Bommai's leadership. He noted that even before an investigation took place, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and other ministers declared that then-minister K S Eswarappa would emerge unscathed from the probe. He questioned the impartiality and fairness of such an approach to investigation.

"We will not repeat the mistakes of the BJP. Our actions will strictly adhere to the law, and we will take legal measures in accordance with it. The judicial probe is well within the bounds of legality," he emphasized.

The Deputy Chief Minister made it clear that he does not seek approval or certificates from either Bommai or other BJP leaders. He pointed out the discrepancies in the response to the Covid pandemic, where the actual death toll due to lack of oxygen cylinders in the Chamarajanagar government hospital was misrepresented. He demanded accountability and investigations into such incidents.

Shivakumar highlighted several scandals and irregularities during the Covid period, including inflated purchases of equipment and materials, and the alleged bed-blocking scam by BJP MP Tejaswi Surya. He questioned the necessity of investigating these incidents to uncover the truth.

Shivakumar also taunted the BJP for filing false cases against him and other Congress leaders and now expressing concerns about investigations into the scandals that transpired during their rule.

Responding to former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda's threat to expose scandals related to the NICE road project, Shivakumar stated that he also possesses documents and is prepared to face any issues. He challenged JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy to prove that he did not promise a medical college in Kanakapura during his tenure. He questioned Kumaraswamy's current opposition to the idea, considering that the existing medical college in Ramanagara caters to both Kanakapura and Ramanagara areas, being merely 3 kms away.