BENGALURU: Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s corruption jibes against his government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday hit back at Modi stating, “You are making allegations without proof. It is like a hit and run case.”
The Chief Minister, who was replying to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly, used the floor of the House to attack Modi, who had in BJP rallies in Bengaluru and Mysuru, termed the Siddaramaiah government as a “10 per cent commission government”.“I wanted to make this statement outside, but I will make it in the House. The previous BJP government was the most corrupt government in Karnataka and the present central government led by BJP is a 90 per cent commission government,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the BJP, and its leaders, have failed to prove their charges. “Our government is clean and efficient. People including farmers are with us. The Prime Minister made allegations that ours is a 10 per cent commission government. In reality it is your government which is taking 90 per cent commission. Nirav Modi took a loan of Rs 11,500 crore and left the country, Lalit Modi who is close to Rajasthan CM too fled by not repaying the loan, even Vijay Mallya is an offender. Who is responsible for this, does the Union government have no role,’’ he charged.
These remarks prompted BJP members to raise their voice and a heated exchange of words ensued between the two party members. Amidst the din, Siddaramaiah continued his tirade against the 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.Intervening, Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar said the state government is the most corrupt one in the country and that ministers own many benami properties. Later, BJP members staged a walkout.