HDK questions Siddaramaiah’s contribution to AHINDA, alleges corrupt officers get protection in Karnataka

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has questioned the contribution of Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the AHINDA communities.

In a press conference in Hassan on January 21, Mr. Kumaraswamy stated that 1.64 lakh students belonging to the other backward classes (OBC) and minorities did not get a scholarship for the last three years. “Now, the Congress is planning to hold AHINDA rallies in five district centres. I want to know what is the contribution of the Chief Minister to these communities. Students from these communities have not got scholarships for three years. The Finance Department has not released funds for the scholarships. The people of the other backward classes and minorities should understand this,” he said.

Terming the present government in Karnataka the worst, the former CM stated that many projects of the National Highway Authority of India had been stopped as the State Government did not acquire land required for the projects.

Answering a question, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that corrupt officers were being protected by the Congress government. Referring to the recent incident involving senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, the former CM said he had spoken about the same officer as early as 2016. “The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah protected him in a theft case earlier. Under the Congress rule in Karnataka, corrupt officers are very well protected,” he alleged.

Recently, Mr. Kumaraswamy claimed that the CM held a meeting with police officers and mentioned more than 80 police officials facing criminal charges. “There is no discipline in the administration. An officer of the Excise Department was caught by the Lokayukta Police while taking a bribe of ₹25 lakh. The incident is enough to convey that corruption has been rampant in the administration,” he stated.

JD(S) rallies to mark silver jubilee

The former CM said that the JD(S) had decided to organise rallies in all districts to mark the party’s silver jubilee. The first event would be held on January 24 in Hassan.

“People of Hassan have a special relationship with the party’s national president, H.D. Deve Gowda. They have stood by Mr. Deve Gowda in his long political career. The rally in Hassan will be attended by around 2 lakh persons. Through the event, we will convey a message to people across Karnataka,” he stated.

Former ministers H.D. Revanna, H.K.Kumaraswamy, Sa.Ra. Mahesh, legislators Swaroop Prakash, S.L. Bhoje Gowda, former MLA K.S. Lingesh and others were present at the meeting.