BENGALURU: A day after state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa was acquitted in a corruption case, state Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara, intensified their attack on the former chief minister.
Speaking at a programme organised to felicitate Parameshwara on completing six years as the KPCC chief, Siddaramaiah said Yeddyurappa was day-dreaming about BJP’s mission-150. “Previously too, BJP dreamt of coming to power in 2013, but they hardly won 40 seats. Their dream of ruling the state for 10 years did not happen. Now they are living in an illusion again,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said money was credited to Yeddyurappa’s account through cheque. There were documents to prove it. “But at the court, he was acquitted. It does not mean he is innocent. A lie cannot become truth. People have not forgotten BSY’s corruption, nor will they forgive him. There is no chance of him coming back to power and become a chief minister again,” he said.
“Swarajya was Mahatma Gandhi’s dream. BJP which assassinated Gandhi cannot make Gandhi’s dream a reality,” he said.
“State BJP leaders are planning to face the next election by showcasing the Central government and PM Narendra Modi’s works. But in reality, Modi’s achievement is zero and they are dreaming to win the election with Modi’s zero score,” he said.
Parameshwara said, “Yeddyurappa might have got a legal reprieve, but there is a people’s court which decides the fate of leaders in an election. BSY will not get a victory there.”
Parameshwara urged party workers to start working hard towards the 2018 Assembly election. “There are hardly 500 days left and each day is important. Do not say or express uncertainty of the Congress coming back to power in the State,” he said.
Marigowda eyes plum post
As CM Siddaramaiah gets busy trying to accommodate disgruntled partymen who could not get a berth in the ministry, suspended partyman Marigowda also tried to make a pitch for a plum post on Thursday. The CM’s aide, who had allegedly verbally abused former Mysuru deputy commissioner C Shikha, had kept a low profile after being suspended from the party.
He arrived with a posse of supporters at Siddaramaiah’s residence on Thursday to seek withdrawal of his suspension. He also requested that he be given a post on any board of corporation in view of his service to the party.
CM returns silver crown, mace
City Congress MLAs Byrathi Basavaraj, Muniratna and others felicitated Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh with a silver crown and a mace. However, Siddaramaiah returned them to the KPCC office. “One of my friends, a doctor from Dubai, gifted a Hublot watch which became a controversy. After that, I am scared to receive any gifts. So I am giving this gift to the KPCC office and henceforth, it will be KPCC property,” he said.
‘Don’t ignore loyal members’
AICC General Secretary B K Hariprasad said, “In 2013 Assembly polls, Parameshwara ignored some loyal Congressmen, that resulted him losing. If it continues, he and the party will lose.”
Digvijaya applauds CM
Digvijaya Singh applauded the CM and his cabinet on handling the Cauvery issue. “The water problem worsened due to less rain. The state handled it well,’’ he said.
MLA Venkatesh may head BDA
Bengaluru: The state government has started the process of appointing heads to various boards and corporations. Appointment letters are being sent directly to appointees. The coveted post of Chairman of Bangalore Development Authority(BDA) has gone to Periyapatna MLA Venkatesh.
According to sources, appointment letters were being sent to about 20 MLAs and as many party workers. Apart from Venkatesh, legislators who have got prominent posts include RV Devaraj, KSRTC Chairman, Malikaiah Guttedar, Karnataka Housing Board, Muniratna, Karnataka Slum Development Board, Rajashekara Patil, Karnataka Land Army, Nasir Ahmed, Minorities Development Corporation, and BR Yavagal, Border Areas Development Corporation.