Congress holds protest across 300 locations in city, BJP slams move

The former chief minister and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala, among others, took part in the protest at Trinity Circle in the Central Business District (CBD) in the city.

The Opposition Congress organised silent protest demonstrations at about 300 places in Bengaluru on Monday, accusing the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government of rampant corruption.

The Opposition Congress organised silent protest demonstrations at about 300 places in Bengaluru on Monday. (PTI)

The protests were held at various locations across the city with a call “get rid of corruption, save Bengaluru”.

The former chief minister and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala, among others, took part in the protest at Trinity Circle in the Central Business District (CBD) in the city.

Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP government for “destroying the pride of Bengaluru” and alleged that corruption by the ruling party reached unprecedented levels.

“We are holding silent protests at more than 280 places to create awareness among people regarding corruption. Last time, we won the highest number of seats in Bengaluru. This time will win more than 20 out of 28 seats in the city,” Siddaramaiah said.

The Congress leader accused BJP of postponing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections, fearing defeat.

“If corporation polls were held, we would have 100% won. For about two years, there has been no corporation in the city,” Siddaramaiah said.

Shivakumar hit out at the BJP government over rampant corruption and said it has resulted in bad infrastructure in Bengaluru.

“Bengaluru roads are full of potholes. Bangalore has become the capital of potholes. The garbage problem has increased. The 40% commission corruption has affected public works. Karnataka has become the capital of corruption in the country,” Shivakumar alleged.

“Who will answer all this? The BJP government has not been able to keep its promise to the people of Bengaluru city and the state. Only the Congress government can solve all the problems of the people. Recently, I met street vendors who claimed that they are being harassed by the police and city municipal officials. Street vendors said the police are collecting ₹1 crore per police station every month. Every day, the police collect ₹500 from street vendors in Bengaluru,” Shivakumar added.

Reacting to Congress’s protest, Bommai said that the party is the “Gangotri (fountainhead) of corruption” in the state, adding that Siddaramaiah is the “reason for corruption everywhere”.

“They have the credit for increasing the premium from 40 to 60% in Bengaluru under Siddaramaiah’s rule. They are saying this to cover up what they have done. Our government has already complained to the Lokayukta,” he said.

“The Congress are the ones who closed down the Lokayukta in the state when Siddaramaiah was the chief minister. Close to 59 cases were pending against Congress leaders, including against the then Chief Minister. ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) closed these cases by filing B-reports without investigation. We are recommending all of them to Lokayukta. What moral right do they have?” Bommai added.

Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar said that Congress is synonymous with corruption in the country.

“If BJP was responsible for corruption, we would have brought a stay to reestablish Lokayukta. But just as the Prime Minister said that we should eliminate corruption, we have given it a vision,” Sudhakar said.

Meanwhile, JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy slammed both the Congress and the BJP for turning a blind eye to the farmers’ issues, and instead targeting each other over corruption in the state.

“Today, BJP and Congress are giving statements against each other. But people are facing hardships in rural areas. What is the situation of farmers? Maybe three days ago in Hunagunda, a 28-year-old farmer died by suicide after losing his crops. These two national parties are not thinking about this,” he said.

“Farmer suicide cases have started again. How to save the families of those farmers? These two national parties do not know about that. Was there no corruption during Congress’s tenure? People are facing several issues. It is their job to instil confidence in them. Today, political parties have to do it,” Kumaraswamy added.