Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Sunday accused the Congress government of failing to account for Rs 187 crore belonging to the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and announced a BJP protest outside Vidhana Soudha.
Addressing reporters, Ashoka claimed the funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Caste communities were diverted for political purposes in Karnataka and Telangana. He said the BJP had released documents supporting its claims and questioned why Congress leaders were protesting against the Opposition’s campaign.
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The allegations relate to the Valmiki Corporation funds case, in which former Karnataka minister B Nagendra has faced scrutiny.
BJP MARCH TO VIDHANA SOUDHA
Ashoka said BJP workers had been holding protests across Karnataka for the past week and would intensify the agitation.
He announced that BJP workers would march from Freedom Park at 9 am on Monday and lay siege to Vidhana Soudha. Ashoka said he and Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra would participate in the protest.
He said the objective was to make the state government answerable over the use of public funds and ensure accountability.
Ashoka also said he had discussed the agitation with Union Minister and JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy, who, according to him, had suggested continuing the protests for another week.
“This is not simply about Nagendra,” Ashoka said, linking the issue to the Rs 187 crore belonging to the Valmiki Corporation.
ASHOKA QUESTIONS CONGRESS LEADERS
Ashoka accused the Congress government of failing to uphold constitutional morality and questioned whether its leaders stood with Scheduled Castes, constitutional values and proper utilisation of taxpayers’ money.
He also criticised Nagendra, claiming that the former minister was linked to more than 30 cases, including four mining-related cases. These claims were made by Ashoka and were not independently established in his remarks.
Ashoka further targeted Karnataka ministers KJ George and G Parameshwara over their comments on the investigation into the Valmiki Corporation case.
He referred to a 2005 Supreme Court judgment in Manoj v Union of India, arguing that ministerial office must be guided by constitutional morality, ethics, good governance and constitutional trust.
ASHOKA TARGETS PARAMESHWARA
Ashoka also alleged that Parameshwara had taken contradictory positions on the involvement of central investigating agencies in the case.
He referred to a June 6, 2024 report in The Hindu, saying Parameshwara had then described the CBI and Enforcement Directorate taking up the matter as legally correct.
Ashoka claimed Parameshwara had subsequently accused the agencies of acting with malicious intent, calling the change in position significant.
The BJP leader said his party would continue its agitation until the government addressed its concerns over the alleged diversion of Valmiki Corporation funds and public accountability.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
