Rampant corruption in Karnataka: BJP MP

Citing an Income Tax raid on a rural development department official and land grabbing charges against a Congress MP, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said rampant corruption was thriving in Karnataka and 10-20 per per cent commission was being charged from contractors.

He demanded answers from Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Janata Dal (Secular) leader and state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Addressing a press conference here, Chandrasekhar said the official collected Rs 2 crore from a contractor, which was to be used for the election expenditure of politicians, and added his party would approach the Election Commission (EC).

The Rajya Sabha MP demanded the resignation of Karnataka Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda along with making public the details of all contracts.

"Collection of this amount of cash is not possible unless there is support from the higher-ups. I challenge Rahul Gandhi and Kumaraswamy to come clean on it," he said.

Citing media reports about Congress MP K.H. Muniyappa reportedly acquiring 410 acres of land through illegal means in Kolar, Chandrasekhar said: "Rahul Gandhi owes a legitimate answer to this."

Asked if the party will approach the Election Commission, he said: "Our party will go to the EC."

During the Assembly election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the Karnataka government was "10 per cent sarkar", he said.

"Now, it looks like that commission charged by officers is 10-20 per cent now," said Chandrasekhar, who is the BJP's election management co-convener in the state.

He said the Congress wanted to stay in power "in any manner" and "collect money".

"People are aware that the Congress-JD(S) coalition is not bound by any common governance agenda, common economic agenda or a common care for the people of Karnataka. Rather, it is about how to stay in power, collect money and exploit the state and its people leading up to the election," he said.

--IANS

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