Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Aug 3: "BJP does not have any other agenda except construction of Ram Mandir. Constructing Ram Mandir is good. God's work should be limited only to religious field. However, some political leaders are giving political colour to religious work. This is not right," said former president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Dinesh Gundu Rao was speaking at the press conference which was held on Monday August 3 at Congress Bhavan in the city. He further said, "What moral right BJP has, which always projects lie as truth, to chant Jai Sri Ram every now and then? All BJP members right from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Karnataka state members speak only lies.

"Congress will not rest till the huge scam that has taken place in the purchase of medical equipment for controlling coronavirus pandemic is brought to light. The fight of Congress against the misrule of BJP is not over yet.

"It was Congress party, which first alerted the union government of the seriousness of coronavirus pandemic. However, BJP leaders criticized Rahul Gandhi, who cautioned the union government. Our intention is not to criticize the ruling government. We have worked as health warriors by providing food and water to people who were in trouble when the coronavirus pandemic started. We have given helping hand to migrant workers who were facing difficulties. A taskforce committee for the same is formed in the state for this cause. We will give more stress towards health through our programme 'Arogya Hastha'.

"The ruling BJP government of Karnataka has misused 50% of the grant that was given to the state for coronavirus control. There is enough evidence about the scam. Every details will be brought to light shortly. Out of Rs five crore released by the state government, Rs 1.45 crore is pocketed by middlemen. Compared to other states, Karnataka has paid double the price for the same medical equipment. That too the equipment supplied is substandard.

"If BJP has the guts, they could have filed a defamation case on me. But they have just sent legal notice. If there is transparency in the purchase of medical equipment by the government, let them hold a judicial inquiry in this matter. The package that was declared for unorganized labour in the state has not yet reached many. The government is looting the treasury in the name of coronavirus,” he said.

Replying to the query on KPCC president D K Shivakumar showing favouritism towards JD(S), Gundu Rao said, "DKS has not grown in politics through any kind of caste-based organization. Congress is a secular party. He is working to further strengthen the organization of the party. There is no situation of getting close to JD(S) or making alliance with them. There is no necessity for Congress to do so. I do not know about the future development. High command will decide on this."

Ridiculing chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "Whatever money was spent for the formation of BJP government led by Yediyurappa, is recovered through corona scam. Everything in the state, including positions and purchase is on auction. Land Reform Act has become redundant. Administration related activities and policies of the state BJP government are against the democracy. We will not tolerate the daylight robbery of BJP. We will make the people know the seriousness of this."

Speaking on the occasion former in-charge minister of the district Jayamala said, "CM Yediyurappa worked alone for the first three months. The government does not have proper accounts for the utilization of grant given by the union government for the purchase of medical equipment for coronavirus control. A party which does not know how to rule, should not rule. Even today, the people of Karnataka have not blessed BJP."

Vinay Kumar Sorake, former minister, G A Bawa, KPCC chief secretary, Ashok Kodavoor, district Congress president, Naveen Chandra Jain, president Block Congress Kaup, Geetha Wagle, president district Mahila Congress and M A Gafoor, chief secretary of KPCC were present.