Mangaluru: KPCC spokesperson and former Karnataka MLC Ivan D’Souza, on Tuesday, September 29, called for the resignation of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa for the rampant corruption in his government.
At a press conference held at the DK Congress Committee Hall in Mallikatta, Ivan D’Souza lashed out at the CM BSY-led government over their handling of the coronavirus crisis and accused the state government of corruption in the purchase of ventilators for COVID-19 treatment.
“The Tamil Nadu Government buys ventilators for Rs 4.78 lakh, while the Karnataka Government buys it for Rs 18.20 lakh. Why is there a big difference? The Chief Minister should answer for this corruption by his government. The people of Karnataka are dying because of the unavailability of ventilators, why the BJP ministers are busy indulging in corruption in medical purchases, right from then personal protective equipment (PPEs) to test kits and even beds,” he said, added that the BJP government is using the health crisis as an opportunity to loot the people.
“Because the government did not proper measures, the number of cases are rising. Government-run hospitals all over the state don’t have enough beds, ventilators, PPE, oxygen cylinders, sanitizers, face masks etc. and yet the government shows a huge spending list for the fight against the virus. When we asked for the expenditure files, the government did not give us the exact details. This makes it clear how corrupt the BJP government is,” he said, demanding that the Chief Minister resign for the corruption in his government.
Ivan also brought up the allegations of corruption in housing projects of the Bangalore Development Authority and receiving kickbacks against the CM’s family members. “The corruption allegations refer to the demand for bribes by the CM’s son, son-in-law and grandson regarding a flat construction project by the BDA. A TV channel have footage and WhatsApp chats that are evidence of the alleged bribery being sought from the contractor and of the bribes paid in cash and direct bank transfers. The government then shut down the TV channel that highlighted this corruption,“ he said demanding a time-bound probe into the matter by a sitting Supreme Court judge or by the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
Focusing on the CM’s son MP Vijayendra, Ivan said, “There have been allegations of Vijayendra playing a larger role in the decision-making process of the state government. We heard that a few BJP MLAs say that Vijayendra has emerged as a key player in the government. It looks like there are two Chief Ministers in the state. Vijayendra is the de facto CM and Yediyurappa is the de jure CM,” he said.
He also recalled how BSY, in 2011, was forced to quit as CM and was subsequently jailed over allegations of corruption involving Vijayendra and Raghavendra. “All the three were acquitted by a CBI court in 2016,” he added.
“Now the bank transfer worth Rs 7.4 crore have proved that the Yediyurappa government is corrupt. It looks like there are two types of taxes for the people, one is the GST and the other is VST (Vijayendra Service Tax). Because of the bravery of one TV channel, there is ample proof of corruption. Therefore, the Congress is urging the CM to resign immediately. With Vijayendra acting like the Super Chief Minister, there is hardly any work that goes on without his knowledge,” he said.
Speaking about the Congress’ regime, he said, “The Congress was ready for any investigation demanded by the Opposition. So, why is the BJP quiet? We will not give up our fight and protests in the state till justice is served and the CM resigns.”
Dakshina Kannada district Congress Youth President Mithun Rai, who was also present, condemned the BJP government’s move of shutting down the Bengaluru-based Kannada TV channel.
Congress leaders Ibrahin Kodijal, C M Mustafa and A C Jayaraj were also present.
