Bengaluru: In a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday dubbed the BJP-led NDA government at the centre a “90 per cent commission government.”
“I wanted to make this statement outside, but I will make it in the house. The previous BJP government was most corrupt government in Karnataka and the present central government led by BJP at the centre is a 90 per cent commission government,” he said on the floor of the State Legislature Assembly here.
The remarks were made by the Chief Minister in a motion of thanks to Governor Vajubhai Vala’s address to the joint session.
Modi, in his Parivartana Yatre public rally in Bengaluru, had said the Congress government in Karnataka is at the exit gate, while calling Siddaramaiah rule a 10 per cent commission government.
Modi also had attacked Siddaramaiah government at a public rally in Mysuru on February 4 by accusing it of setting new records in corruption.
Reacting to Prime Minister’s charges, Siddaramaiah said the BJP and its lkeaders have failed to prove their charges. “As per law, whoever levels charges against anyone, should prove them. The BJP and its leaders here have been levelling corruption charges and calling my rule as 10 per cent commission government, but have failed to prove these charges against my government,” he said.
These remarks prompted BJP members to raise their voice and a heated exchange of words ensued between the two party members.
Amidst the din, Chief Minister further continued his tirade against previous BJP government by saying his government does not need any lessons of clean governance from a party whose four ministers were imprisoned for corruption.
Firing yet another salvo at Modi over tainted businessmen Nirav Modi fleeing the country, Siddaramaiah alleged that the central government was looking the other way when billionaire jeweller used his clout with the Prime Minister to slip out of the country and steal Rs 11,000 crore, drawing comparison with the case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPL Chairman Lalith Modi.
“Nirav Modi ran away with Rs 11,000 crore. Lalith Modi and Vijay Mallya also fled. What was the central government doing?” he questioned.
He also criticised BJP for calling his government as a non-performing government. “If my government is no-performing, how is it that the growth rate of the state stands at 8.5 per cent?” Siddaramaiah asked.
Intervening Siddaramaiah, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar said the government was most corrupt governments in the country. Ministers are owning many benami properties across the state.
Shettar also alleged that the Siddaramaiah government is trying to brush the Arkavathy layout scam.
Vishweshwar Hedge Kageri alleged that the Siddaranmaiah government was getting desperate and hurling allegations of 90 per cent commission government against Modi’s rule at the centre.
Even as Chief Minister was continuing with allegations against Modi government, BJP members staged a walkout.
