From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 26: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has dubbed the opposition Congress party’s complaint to Governor ThaawarchandGehlot on the alleged percentage scam in works contracts is joke and retaliated by announcing that the tender works carried out during the Congress rule would also be probed.

Speaking to reporters in Davangere after participating in the Constitution Day function, he said the opposition Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar have submitted a petition to the Governor based on their personal experience and knowledge when they were in power.

The Congress leaders have not mentioned any specific department or works. They have submitted a general complaint. However, since the Congress leaders have taken very keen interest in the percentage scam in the works contracts, all the tender works contracts during their period in power will also be probed, the Chief Minister said.

Bommai said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been conducting raids on alleged corrupt officials across the State as the State Government has given it a free hand. The ACB has taken action of conducting raids in Bengaluru and other places as the State Government wants a corruption free administration, he said.

To a question on whether Lakhan Jarkiholi, who has entered the fray in the Legislative Council elections as an independent candidate in Belagavi district even though the ruling BJP has fielded official candidate Mahantesh Kavatagimath, will be withdrawing his nomination paper, Bommai said the party has conveyed to him that the official candidate must be supported. He has promised to take a final decision after discussing with his supporters, the Chief Minister said.

Asked whether the ruling BJP will have an understanding with opposition JD(S), Bommai said an official decision is yet to be taken. However, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has stated that the party will seek the support of JD(S) in constituencies where the party’s support is necessary based on his political experience of 40 years.

The Chief Minister said the recent rain havoc and floods has caused immense damage to standing crops in different districts, especially in Northern Karnataka. The government has taken steps to ensure that compensation to farmers is paid without undue delay.

In Davangere district alone, has suffered crop damages for 9800 hectares of agricultural crops and over 2147 hectares of plantation crops. Detailed reports on the crop damages will be furnished to the Union Government soon, he said.

The Chief Minister participated in the 75th birthday celebrations of senior party MLA S ARavindanath and released a souvenir to mark the occasion.

Urban Development Minister B A Basavaraj, MP G M Siddeshwar, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary M P Renukacharya, MLAs Madalu Virupakshappa, Ramachandrappa and others participated in the function.