Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah has described Congress government in Karnataka the most corrupt government in the country.
“It has broken all records in corruption,’’ Shah said at the inaugural function of 74-day Nava Karnataka Parivarthana Yatra at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre ground off Tumkuru Road.
Coming down heavily on Siddaramaiah’s government for not utilizing the funds allocated by the Central Government, Shah has demanded Siddaramaiah to produce proof of spending the money for the welfare of people in the state.
“Karnataka was allocated Rs 88,583 crore during UPA regime. Now, the allocation of funds has increased to Rs 2,90,567 crore during NDA regime. The increase of funds is 2.5 per cent (Rs. 1,30,923 crore) in the last three years of Modi government. Where has this money gone?’’ Shah asks amid thunders from BJP activists.
The BJP national president has elaborated on allocation of Central funds to various development projects, including Namma Metro (Rs. 2,617 crore), Amruth Yojana (Rs, 4,900 crore), Smart City (Rs 960 crore), railways (Rs 2,917 crore).
“This money has not reached to the masses in the form of development and welfare schemes. Congress leaders and corrupt officials have pocketed it,’’ he said.
Tipu Jayanthi
Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for being more enthusiastic to celebrate Tipu Jayanti than celebrating Karnataka Rajyotsava.
“People of this state celebrated Rajyotsava yesterday but Siddaramaiah was busy in chalking out on how to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on November 10,’’ he said.
Blaming Siddaramaiah for playing vote bank politics by celebrating Tipu Jayanti, he said celebration of Tipu Jayanti would not fetch votes for Congress.
“Siddaramaiah is responsible for the killing of more than 10 workers of RSS and other organisations during the Tipu Jayanti celebrations,’’ he said.
OBC Bill
He said the NDA government wanted to pass a Bill in the parliament for the benefit of other backward classes but Congress created obstacles to it.
“The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha but could not do so in Rajya Sabha due to lack of cooperation from Congress,’’ he said.
No development
Expressing disappointment over the lack of development in the state during the four-and-half years of Congress rule, he recalled how Karnataka had progressed during the BJP regime.
“There is no sign of development after Congress coming to power in the state,’’ he said.
Objective
Stating that objective of Nava Karnataka Parivartana Yatra is not to change the Chief Minister or any political party but to bring a change in the lives of people, especially farmers, workers, and youth.
“I want to appeal people of Karnataka to bring back BJP to power in the state,’’ he said.
War begins
Earlier, BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa has announced the beginning of election war in the state.
“BJP will come to power in the state by winning more than 150 seats in the next Assembly elections. I want your blessings and support to achieve this task,’’ Yeddyurappa said.
He said that he would visit 224 Assembly constituencies during the 74-day Nava Karnataka Parivarthana Yatra to strengthen BJP at the grassroot level.
“I will address three meetings in each assembly segment during the tour,’’ he said.
Empty chairs
According to sources, BJP national president Amit Shah has expressed disappointment over the low turnout at the venue. Many chairs were empty when Shah arrived to the stage. It prompted BJP leaders, including Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP Shobha Karandlaje, MLA Narayana Swamy to appeal the BJP workers to occupy the seats.
Traffic jam
The BJP’s Nava Karnataka Parivarthana Yatra had created a huge traffic jam on the busy National Highway 4. Three to four ambulance vehicles were stuck in the traffic jam. Even Amit Shah was compelled to use a helicopter to reach the venue from Kempegowda International Airport due to the traffic jam.
