From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Hubballi, May 7: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief DK Shivakumar has demanded an impartial probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau into the disclosure by senior BJP leader BasanagoudaPatilYatnal on being asked to pay a bribe of Rs 2,500 crore for the Chief Minister’s post.
Speaking to media representatives in the Hubballi Circuit House on Saturday, the KPCC Chief said Yatnal’s disclosure that he was asked to shell out Rs 2,500 crore for becoming the Chief Minister ``is most shocking’’ and needs to be investigated thoroughly by the ACB.
``Yatnal is a senior BJP leader, who is sitting BJP MLA and has served as MP and also Union Minister, needs thorough investigation not just by State’s ACB but even by Central agenceies,’’ Shivakumar demanded.
The State Congress President said Yatnal has also revealed a payment of Rs 50 to 100 crore was demanded for ministerial berths.
He said it is up to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to protect the ruling party’s image. ``If he has any commitment and sense of moral values, all the corruption charges must be investigated,’’ he said.
Shivakumar contended that the BJP government was formed through illegal means and by ‘’purchasing MLAs’’ and through the ill-famous Operation Kamala.
He mentioned that sitting MLA Srinivasa Gowda had openly stated on the floor of the Assembly that Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, a Cabinet Minister now, and former minister CP Yogeshwar had promised a payment of Rs 30 core and even paid an advance of Rs 5 crore. ``There are video recordings by BC Patil, who is a minister now, and other leaders offering money. MLAs Hebbar and Rahim Khan had even stated publicly about the offers to join BJP,’’ he said.
Shivakumar said the statement by Vishwanth against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has not been discussed. ``Yatnal has claimed that crores of rupees are being demanded as bribes to become chairman and members of the Karnataka Public Service Commission,’’ he said wondering why these issues are not discussed when corruption is being discussed widely.
``It is surprising that Income Department, Enforcement Directorate and CBI are silent when corruption charges are widely discussed and hurled against BJP government in the State,’’ he said and felt it was surprising that Yediyurappa had granted permission to CBI to investigate against him in the allegation of purchase of assets illegally when the then State Advocate General had stated that such a permission cannot be granted.
To BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel’s statement that BJP has nothing to do with Yatnal’s statement, the KPCC Chief wondered if Kateel was implying that he was directly involved in the corruption as alleged by Yatnal.
``If the ACB or Central agencies want, they can take Yatnal into custody and get details from him in no time. Why nothing is being done? Does it mean that Bommai or Prime Minister Narendra Modi do not mean what they about corruption,’’ he asked.
Shivakumar charged that the Bommai government was trying to protect the guilty persons in various scams. ``We are waiting and watching the government’s response and decide on our future course of action accordingly. We will not allow the issues of corruption to die down,’’ he said.
MLA Prasad Abbayya, MLC NagarajChabbi, former MLA NH Kona Reddy, Dharwad district Congress President Anil Patil and others were present.