Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], September 1 (ANI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its Padayatra against the state government, saying the opposition party was “neither ready for debate, nor ready to present any proof” in connection with the resignation of former minister B Nagendra.
Kharge questioned the BJP’s decision to hold the Padayatra, saying the party had not clearly explained its purpose and had avoided a discussion on the issue in the Assembly despite the government being ready with answers. Karnataka BJP Padayatra began today from Lingasugur in Raichur district to Ballari and will continue until September 10.
“They still haven’t clearly explained why this Padayatra is happening. We don’t know what they will go there and tell the people. In the SIT report, there is no direct involvement shown on his part. He is not an accused. His name is not in the CBI’s first charge sheet either. Everyone knows how his name appeared in the second charge sheet–how they are using the CBI, IT and ED,” Kharge said in a press conference.
He said the Congress government was ready to discuss the matter in the Assembly and respond to the allegations.
“We were ready to discuss this in the Assembly. We were ready with answers too. The BJP neither protested properly over there nor came forward for a discussion. Standing right where their chairs were, they protested without coming to debate because they were afraid,” he said.
“We said, ‘We are ready with answers, come discuss.’ Why didn’t they discuss?” Kharge asked.
The Karnataka Minister said Nagendra had subsequently held a press conference to explain the issue, while Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara had also made statements in both the Assembly and Legislative Council.
“Fine, there are enough problems in the state; thinking we shouldn’t waste the Assembly’s valuable time, Mr Nagendra himself held a press conference. He explained all the details legally. After that, the Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara made a statement in the Assembly–in both the Assembly and the Council. Even after that, they were not ready for a debate,” Kharge said.
“They are neither ready for debate nor ready to present any proof, but now they are conducting a Padayatra. I request the BJP people conducting this Padayatra, please present the evidence before the public. Don’t just do hit-and-run tactics,” he added.
Kharge said the Congress leadership continued to stand with Nagendra after his resignation.
On August 28, Minister B Nagendra announced his resignation from the state Cabinet, saying he was stepping down voluntarily amid allegations by the Opposition over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
“Here, after the resignation was submitted, our PCC President Hariprasad said, ‘We stand with Nagendra.’ The CM said, ‘I am with Nagendra.’ The High Command stands with Nagendra. Even after the resignation, you are asking, and they are doing a Padayatra. Whatever it is, when time comes, everything will come out. We cannot hide the truth for long. It will come out today or tomorrow,” Kharge added.
On the reported BJP-JDS alliance and the Padayatra, Kharge said there was confusion within the opposition. “There is no BJP opinion on Bidadi, and no JDS opinion on the Padayatra. Why is there confusion among themselves? Forget BJP-JDS, there is confusion within the BJP itself!” he said.
“Didn’t they say Amit Shah was coming? Is Amit Shah coming today? Is Pralhad Joshi coming today? No one is coming. They themselves aren’t confident,” Kharge added.
On Kalaburagi being dropped from the drought list, Kharge said the Centre had changed the criteria for declaring drought in 2020 under NDRF norms, leaving state governments with no autonomy in the matter.
“You all know how a drought is declared. The Central Government changed the rules in 2020 as per NDRF norms. State governments were given no autonomy. There are two criteria we must satisfy. One is your mandatory indicator. One is a trigger indicator, and the other is an impact indicator. After all these, declarations happen,” he said.
Kharge said the process of declaring drought-hit areas was still underway as the monsoon season had not ended.
“It is still ongoing; the rainy season isn’t over yet. There are still three weeks left. The Revenue Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have clearly stated that out of 108, currently only 101 have been declared after ground-truthing,” he said.
Comparing the UPA and NDA’s NDRF norms, Kharge said the former were more favourable to farmers.
“Compare the UPA’s NDRF norms with the NDA’s NDRF norms–the former was farmer-friendly. Protests are happening in many places asking why their region isn’t on the list. The reason is this rule, as you all know. What freedom do we have?” he said.
He also alleged that Karnataka had faced delays in receiving drought relief funds from the Centre in the past.
“Last time, they did injustice even in relief funds. In the entire history of our state, this was the first time a cabinet and MLAs went to Delhi to protest. Even after that, they didn’t release funds. Then we had to approach the Supreme Court. Only after the Supreme Court reprimanded them and slapped the Central Government did we get relief. This is how the Central Government is running. They make slogans like ‘More crop per drop’,” he added.
Kharge said Karnataka had repeatedly sought time from the Centre to discuss the issue, claiming that the Revenue Minister, Agriculture Minister and Chief Minister had raised the matter.
“We have asked for time. The Revenue Minister went and returned; the Agriculture Minister asked for time; the Chief Minister himself met the Prime Minister and Amit Shah. I also participated in the Southern States Conference in Chennai (Mahabalipuram), where the CM raised this issue, asking for time for Karnataka,” he said.
“Who framed these parameters? Mr Modi and Mr Amit Shah. But who is expected to give answers? DK Shivakumar and Priyank Kharge! What kind of justice is this? The BJP people protesting should answer this,” Kharge added.
Responding to BJP leader R Ashoka’s statement that his “wicket” would fall in connection with the KPSC recruitment issue, Kharge hit back using a cricket analogy.
“Whose photo is alongside whom? Look at how the bowlers are in the BJP–they are bowling full tosses to me! Not just no-balls, full tosses! It’s a free hit for us. In this match, whichever umpire is there, they themselves will get out!” he said.
“Go and ask any youth: is it possible for Priyank Kharge to commit fraud in KPSC matters or government job opportunities? Let any one youth say yes, and I’ll see,” Kharge said.
He also rejected JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy’s allegation that candidates were taken to a resort and OMR sheets were altered.
“Kumaraswamy’s allegation is that we took candidates to a resort and altered OMR sheets. In whose custody are OMR sheets? KPSC’s custody. The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj is not the custodian. Doesn’t the BJP or JDS have that basic common sense?” Kharge said.
“You conduct the exam, you publish the list, you write to us saying this is the final selection list, we issue orders based on that, then you say a scam happened,” he added.
Kharge further questioned BJP and JDS leaders over alleged links involving a person named Basavaraj from Bidar.
“I ask Mr Ashoka, you want my wicket to fall? Go ahead, no problem. But people are asking about the broker from Bidar who got caught–Basavaraj. The shawl on his shoulder, the shawl on your shoulder, and the shawl on Modi’s shoulder are all the same, right? It’s not just any coloured shawl; it’s the shawl with your party’s symbol. What do you say to that?” he said.
“You must have seen the photo–three MLAs sitting on either side. It looks like a BJP executive meeting. What was he doing there?” Kharge asked.
He also questioned why BJP and JDS leaders had not raised the name of Shivashankarappa Sahukar in the matter.
“Why haven’t the BJP or JDS taken Shivashankarappa Sahukar’s name even once? Why wasn’t this discussed in the Assembly? If Priyank Kharge’s wicket was about to fall, why didn’t these cowards discuss it in the House?” he said.
“Why haven’t Ashoka, Narayanaswamy, Chalavadi, Vijayendra, or Kumaraswamy spoken about Shivashankarappa Sahukar or Basavaraj? Taking my name gives publicity in the media, doesn’t it?” Kharge added. (ANI)
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