by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Nov 21: Launching himself on a novel mode of verbal assault of his opponents, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said there was an urgent need for constructing a new jail to lodge the Congress party netas, who have got caught in scams relating to unlawful stocking of ores and many other acts of irregularity.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at a meeting in Govinda Rao Memorial Hall here yesterday, he said "The treasury was empty when the Congress Party was in power in Karnataka. All that money can now be found in their homes".

"Being in charge of the Finance portfolio in the present coalition government, I have launched many pro-people schemes which include loans amounting to Rs. 2,060 crore at four per cent interest, support price for onion with an outlay of Rs. 100 crore, assistance of Rs. 10,000 per family to 2.15 lakh families under 'Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma' scheme, distribution of 1.75 lakh bicycles to girl-students, unemployment allowance of Rs. 1,500 in addition to vocational training to youth, distribution of bicycles to 2.15 lakh boys at a cost of Rs. 45 crore and many others", Yediyurappa explained.

"While I have provided funds of large amounts for the benefit of the needy people, why was it not possible to do that by Siddharamaiah, Kharge, Dharam and Co. ?", Yediyurappa questioned.

"Where was all the tax payers' money going during their regime", he asked. If the residences of Congress leaders are searched, all that money can be discovered, he charged.

In a direct attack on Congress party leader and former Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Yediyurappa said: "Congress party members are stocking huge quantities of ores and looting the country's wealth. They react when action is taken on them. Siphoning off public funds to their pockets, the Congress netas are getting caught in one scam or the other. There is a need for constructing new jails for lodging them", he thundered.