Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Aug 3: MLC Ivan D'Souza criticised the BJP for misusing agencies such as the ED, CBI, and the Governor, while praising the tenure of chief minister Siddaramaiah.

During a media address at the Congress office in Mallikatte on Saturday, August 3, Ivan D'Souza said, "Today is the 77th birthday of chief minister Siddaramaiah, and we wish him success. The central BJP party is using the Governor to create distress in the state. The notice issued by the Governor is an act of foolishness, and he acted like a BJP agent. He should immediately retract the notice. The BJP and JD(S) are trying to hide their illegal activities by implicating the Chief Minister. The BJP alleges a scam by Siddaramaiah while ignoring their own actions. If they want to protest, they should protest against Kota Srinivas Poojary, Jagadeesha Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, Sudhakar, and Eshwarappa. The government should clarify the basis for the notice, and it should act as per the council ministers."

"The name of Siddaramaiah is not mentioned. The incident involves MUDA and Siddaramaiah's wife, and the land was given to her during BJP rule. The BJP stages protests and uses the Governor based on instructions from Nagpur. When Yediyurappa was alleged in the Mine scam, nothing happened to him. If the Governor does not retract the notice, we will hold a huge protest.

"The Governor is acting without any evidence. If a notice was necessary, it should have been issued to MUDA and Siddaramaiah's wife. There have been instances where people are forced to mention the names of the chief minister and deputy chief minister using the ED. The people of Karnataka have elected Siddaramaiah, and we will inform the public of the reality,” he said.

When asked why the chief minister did not mention these properties in the 2005 and 2013 elections, Ivan D'Souza said, "Although he did not initially include that information, he later provided the revised information, and the land was issued by MUDA."

Regarding the new deputy commissioner office, he said, "Initially, it was planned to be completed for Rs 41 crore, but later the cost was upgraded to Rs 55 crore. Now, they are asking for an additional Rs 20 crore, totalling Rs 80 crore so far. On August 15, the additional commissioner office and deputy commissioner office will be transferred to the new building."

K Ashraf, Prakash Salian, Sathish Pegal, Meena Tellis, Vikas Shetty, Imran, Salim, and others were present.