Bengaluru, Oct 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of staging a drama over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to divert public attention from allegations concerning the NICE project and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his family members.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy criticised Shivakumar and other Cabinet members for staging a street protest while neglecting a Cabinet meeting.
He also accused the Congress of raising the issue of alleged vote theft despite, he said, having indulged in irregularities during the SIR process.
“It is shameful that the Congress, which committed continuous irregularities when the SIR process began, is now speaking against it,” he said.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues staged a drama by sitting on the road while neglecting the Cabinet meeting.
He described the protest as ridiculous.
Kumaraswamy said the Congress was unnecessarily creating a controversy over alleged vote theft, adding that it was like “the devil reciting the Bhagavad Gita”.
He alleged that when the SIR process began, Congress leaders had gathered people in large numbers at marriage halls, community halls and private residences to carry out voter-list revision.
He said his party had lodged complaints with the Election Commission and that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders had subsequently submitted complaints as well.
“Despite our complaints, no cases were registered against anyone. The Congress, which indulged in irregularities, is now repeatedly accusing others of irregularities,” he alleged.
Questioning the Congress government's response, Kumaraswamy said it had remained silent when his party raised objections and had not initially flagged any shortcomings in the SIR process.
“Why have you suddenly woken up now?” he asked, alleging that the controversy began after pressure from Congress leaders in Delhi.
The Union Minister further claimed that the SIR controversy had been brought to the forefront to divert attention from allegations he had raised against the Chief Minister and his family members in connection with the NICE project.
Kumaraswamy said he had held a detailed press conference three days earlier and presented documents alleging that Shivakumar and his family members had colluded with the NICE company to appropriate land belonging to the project.
He claimed that the allegations had triggered considerable political and public debate, prompting the government to shift attention to the SIR issue.
Referring to statements attributed to the NICE project promoter, Kumaraswamy said the state government lacked the financial resources to take over the project.
He said the promoter told the government it would have to hand over Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha or pay Rs 2 lakh crore to acquire the project.
“The guarantee schemes have emptied the state treasury. Where does the government have the money to pay him?” Kumaraswamy asked.
He alleged that despite this, the Chief Minister continued to protect the project promoter and had initiated the SIR controversy when questions were raised about the project.
Kumaraswamy also questioned how the Chief Minister could stage a protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office while setting aside a Cabinet meeting.
He asked why the police had permitted Shivakumar to protest when, according to him, they cited court orders to prevent other political leaders from staging demonstrations.
“Does this not amount to a violation of judicial orders?” he asked.
Kumaraswamy further accused Shivakumar of acting on instructions from Congress leaders in Delhi rather than making independent decisions.
He alleged that the Chief Minister lacked political independence and acted according to directions from the party’s central leadership.
He also accused Shivakumar of claiming that the number of AHINDA voters had declined in the electoral rolls while allegedly marginalising AHINDA ministers within his own Cabinet.
AHINDA is an umbrella term referring to minorities, backward classes and Dalits in Karnataka.
Source: IANS
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