Vijayapura: At the time when the Opposition Congress is holding protest against the arrest of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son, Prashanth Madal, for allegedly accepting a Rs. 40 lakh bribe by the Lokayukta, BJP MP Pratap Simha has given credit to BJP Government for the arrest erring official stating that arrest show that the BJP is commitment against corruption.
Addressing mediapersons on Saturday March 4, he said that the arrest was possible only because the BJP has given a new lease of life to the Lokayukta institution after coming to power.
“While the Congress has made every effort to strangle Lokayukta Authority and constituted Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in place of Lokayukta, it is the BJP which gave new life to the institution of Lokayukta, the result of which we are seeking today as the BJP MLA’s son who is a Government official has been arrested red-handed by the Lokayukta. It would not have been possible if the BJP had not given new life to the Lokayukta institution,” he said.
Simha reiterated that the arrest is the reflection of the commitment of BJP to make Karnataka corruption free.
When sked why the BJP MLA is reportedly gone absconding if he has not committed any illegality, Simha said that if the MLA is clean, then he should produce himself before the Court.
When reporters kept asking questions related to the Lokayukta raid, visibly frustrated Simha, asked the reporters to pose different questions.
On the allegation made by the Contractors Association of BJP Government collecting commission of 40% on clearing bills, Simha called it baseless and frivolous allegations against the BJP. He wondered why the Congress or the Contractors’ Association is not filing any case before the Lokayukta if they have any proof or evidence against any BJP leader on taking commission.
“The Congress now has a daily routine of raising the issue of 40% commission before the media. The party is not ready to file a case before any investigating authority, which means that the Congress has no evidence to present,” he said. Simha described D. Kempanna, the State President of the Contractors’ Association as ‘the stooge’ of Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Siddaramaiah.
When asked why the BJP did not file any case against the Congress when the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi called the Congress as ’10 percent’ Government, Simha had no clear answer.
District President, R. S. Patil Kuchabal, Former MLA Appu Pattanshetty and other party leaders were present.
