Karnataka ministers have slammed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its allegation that the ruling Congress is raising funds here for the Bihar assembly elections.
BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and BY Raghavendra have accused state ministers of “raising money” for the upcoming Bihar elections. Both BJP leaders have claimed that officials are being pressurized to contribute, and now the money is being collected under the guise of renewal.
Shettar also alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently hosted a dinner for his cabinet colleagues in connection with the elections.
Shivamogga MP Raghavendra is the son of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and elder brother of BJP state president BY Vijayendra.
Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress unit president DK Shivakumar on Tuesday asked Raghavendra to present evidence in support of his claim.
He told reporters on Sunday, “I think Vijayendra and Raghavendra have such a habit. That’s why they are repeating it. We don’t do that and we don’t need to. They are giving statements under the policy of making allegations and running away. Where is the proof? If there is evidence, let it be shown.
Shivkumar claimed that BJP is afraid of Congress. He claimed that ‘India’ (the alliance of opposition parties at the Centre, ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’) will come to power in Bihar.
Responding to the BJP’s allegation, state Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge shared on social media an old video of former Union Minister Ananth Kumar and Yediyurappa, in which they are allegedly talking about sending black money worth Rs 1,800 crore to the BJP high command.
Kharge, in a post on social media platform
State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also hit back at the BJP, calling its claims ridiculous.
He asked, “Karnataka BJP’s factory of lies is once again running in full swing! Your baseless allegation that our Congress government is providing funds for Bihar elections is ridiculous. Will your series of lies not end?
Reddy accused the BJP of using corrupt and illegal money for the elections.
Reddy said in a post on ‘X’ in Kannada language, “You, Gangotri of corruption, are trying to clean yourself today, this is the biggest joke of the century!”
