CM denies charge of ‘vendetta politics’ behind panel to speed up probe into scams during BJP rule

PTI, Sep 11, 2024, 3:49 PM IST

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday rejected allegations of “vendetta politics” behind the constitution of a committee of Ministers formed to review and coordinate regarding the action to be taken in connection with probe by government and investigating agencies into various scams that have taken place during the previous BJP government .

He said the panel has been formed to accelerate the probe into such cases, and the government will take action against those who have committed wrong.

“While replying to debate (in the Assembly) I had referred to more than 21 scams during the previous government (of BJP); to speed up the probe into all of them, and to advise to the government and the Cabinet on what is to be done in this regard, the Cabinet sub committee has been formed,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

On inquiry commissions already being formed to probe some cases, he said: “It has not been formed for all cases. Inquiry commissions have been formed for scams or cases such as — Sub Inspector recruitment, 40 per cent commission, COVID-19, Bitcoin.” He noted that in some cases such as (irregularities in) COVID-19 (management), a preliminary report has been given, and a committee of officials has been formed to review and submit recommendations on what action to be taken.

Siddaramaiah said the Cabinet sub committee will review the progress of investigations and to recommend to the government on necessary action to be taken.

“I have asked the committee to submit the report within two months,” he added.

On the BJP dubbing the move as “vendetta politics,” Siddaramaiah said, “what politics have they done with me? (in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam).” “We don’t indulge in vendetta politics, did we do it when I was Chief Minister earlier? Even now we have not done, but we will take action against those who have committed wrong…the committee has been formed to accelerate the probe into (such) cases,” he said, Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the committee is likely to meet this week.

“Every case that is pending at various stages… some of them that have been decided and some yet to be decided…to review all of them and to submit a report a Cabinet subcommittee has been formed. Probably this week itself I will call a meeting of the committee,” Parameshwara who heads the committee told reporters.

He said such cases have been identified and their status report will be submitted to the Cabinet.

“We will not go on an individual basis, the number of cases that are pending, we will review. Cases should not catch the dust without action, so we will review them. We were doing it departmentally earlier, now it has been decided at the Cabinet level, so the committee has been formed, it is also to speed up the process,” he added.

Parameshwara on Tuesday said during the BJP rule 20-25 scams have taken place, and all of them will be reviewed.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge and Labour Minister Santosh Lad are the members of the committee.

On the BJP’s charge of “vendetta politics,” the Home Minister said: “Let them say whatever they want, we will have to do our duty.” “As the ruling party we will have more responsibility. They (opposition) have the responsibility to criticise, advise and correct the government if it is going in the wrong direction. As the party in government we have our own responsibility and we are answerable to the people,” he added.