BENGALURU: Accusing the Siddaramaiah government of indulging in politics of vendetta to prevent Janata Dal (Secular) from coming to power in the next assembly election, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy warned his political rivals that it would boomerang against them.
Participating in a Meet the Press programme organised by the Bengaluru Press Club and the Reporters’ Guild here on Sunday, Kumaraswamy said former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was responsible for filing the case against him in the Janthakal mining scam and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is using it now to finish him off politically.
“Congress and BJP leaders are happy foisting false cases against me. I want them to conduct the probe in a proper manner so that they won’t have to repent in future. They will be happy for now by ordering a probe against me,” he said.
Questioning the need for ordering an SIT probe into the alleged Janthakal mining scam after 11 years, he said that he was ready to face any inquiry in this matter.
“Janardhana Reddy sought three weeks to submit documents to the SIT. I do not know from where he will get the documents. Does it mean he made allegations against me without having documents?” Kumaraswamy questioned.
Taking a dig at Siddaramaiah’s claim of fulfilling 155 of 165 poll promises in four years, he said the CM had forgotten his achievement in weakening the Karnataka Lokayukta by setting up the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
“ACB officers are not given full freedom to probe graft cases. They are being transferred for raiding residences of particular officials who are said to have close contacts with the CM,” he said.
Questioning the appointment of Vikas Bansode as legal adviser to Siddaramaiah, he said, “I do not know for what purpose Siddaramaiah appointed Bansode. If Bansode is his legal adviser, what is the need for an Advocate General in the state? Are there not enough advocates in Karnataka?” he asked.