From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Mysuru, Oct 16: The charges by BJP leaders on the IT raids and their attempts to link the IT raids as well as seizure of money from contractors to the Congress party are ‘totally baseless, politically motivated’, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday and dismissed the opposition party’s protests as not trustworthy.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru, he said the BJP leaders cannot link the seizure of money from contractors by the IT Department to the Congress or the government.

“If the seizure of cash in the residences of contractors can be linked to the Congress, what happens the same IT Department recovers money in other States and are these to be attributed to the Narendra Modi regime,’’ he asked and wanted to know what such raids by IT Department or Enforcement Directorate are not carried out in BJP ruled States.

Siddaramaiah said the BJP leaders have no basis to allege that the seizure of money by IT Department from the residences of contractors in Bengaluru to the ongoing elections in the five States.

“People are fully aware of what happened in the State during the last four years when BJP was in power and the rampant corruption that took place. Any agitation by BJP is meaningless as people do not trust the party,’’ he asserted.

The Chief Minister said the BJP, which has been unable to elect its own opposition leader in the State even six months after the assembly elections, wants to create negative image against the Congress government as the party is unable to stomach the popularity of the guarantees.

He dismissed the charge by BJP leader C T Ravi on the targets set by the ruling Congress party for collection of funds for the assembly polls and said he (Ravi) must be speaking from his own experience.

“He (Ravi) has been rejected by the people and he lost the assembly elections despite holding the post as national BJP general secretary. There is no need to respond to baseless remarks by such failed leaders,’’ Siddaramaiah said.

5 hrs continuous power supply to farmers

The Chief Minister said the State Government is taking all steps to ensure 5 hours of continuous power supply to IP sets of farmers.

“During the JD(S) and BJP rule, not a single megawatt of additional power was generated. The failure of monsoon is causing problems. However, steps are being taken to address the problems of farmers,’’ he said.

He pointed out that the power demand used to be around 10,000 mw during the month of October, which however has peaked to 16,000 mw, resulting in power shortages. Steps are being taken to procure additional power and augment supplies from cogeneration and other sources,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister explained that Karnataka is facing the worst drought situation with 216 out of the 236 taluks being declared as drought affected. All steps are taken to ensure that fodder and drinking water supplies are not affected, he said.

Siddaramaiah said the State Government is seriously considering permanent lighting arrangements to the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, which was also suggested by Kannada music director Hamsalekha while inaugurating the Dasara celebrations.