From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 6: In a sharp rejoinder to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s charge that the previous Congress governments were responsible for Bengaluru’s present woes and mess due to floods in the city caused by heavy rains, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar on Tuesday, September 6, wanted to know what he did as chief minister or as a cabinet minister in previous BJP regimes.

“The chief minister is like a person who cannot ride a horse given to him but seeks another one,’’ Shivakumar said quoting a famous saying of Allama Prabhu, who had said: “Kotta Kudureyannu Eralaagade, Matthondu Kudure Eralu Bayasuvavanu Veeranoo alla Shooranoo alla’’ and attacked Bommai for doing precious little while in power and blaming others for his government’s failure.

Speaking to media persons near his residence, he said nothing prevented the Chief Minister from setting right things if he believes the Congress rule committed blunders and allowed reckless encroachments. The government could have punished the guilty and set right things, he said.

The KPCC Chief refuted the chief minister’s claims that the present woes in Bengaluru were due to Congress misrule and accused the present BJP government for encouraging corruption and not checking the lapses of the officials in key positions.

“If the chief minister is unable to solve the problem, let us face elections and allow somebody else to do the work,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said he or the Congress party is not interested in playing political games when the people of Bengaluru are suffering and assured that the party will extend all cooperation, support and help for restoring the pride and glory of Bengaluru.

He, however, criticized Bommai for his attack on Congress and blaming the previous governments and wondered what prevented him and his colleagues from taking corrective steps during the last three years. Nobody has prevented the government from doing its work. “Except for visiting some of the affected places and making grand claims or announcements, the government has done precious little. It is the people and tax-payers who are suffering,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said Bengaluru contributes 29% of the country’s revenue from exports. The people and the city needs good administrators, who can deliver the goods. People will not tolerate corruption and inefficiency he said.
“Corruption is rampant in the present administration. The level of corruption has climbed from 40% to 50% and nothing moves in the government without bribes. The chief minister should desist from levelling baseless allegations repeatedly. He has the power. Let the government investigate and punish the guilty,’’ he said and promised that the Congress party will own its responsibility if proven guilty.

The KPCC Chief demanded a judicial probe in the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of police sub inspectors as the Lokayukta probe will not help to bring the culprits to book since several prominent persons are behind the scam. He also attacked the ruling BJP and the government for sending notices to Congress MLA and former minister Priyank Kharge for his allegations in the PSI scam when the government is silent even as senior BJP leaders including Basavaraj Patil Yatnal, Adaguru Vishwanath or MLA Basacaraj Dadagasuru have levelled even more serious allegations.

“We cannot be silenced by this kind of threats,’’ he declared.