Bengaluru: Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, on Saturday said the tears shed by Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra while resigning from the ministerial post over what he termed baseless allegations of corruption, would lead to the BJP’s downfall in the state. He also said that the BJP-JD(S) leaders should first undertake a padayatra against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Speaking to media persons at his home office in Bengaluru, Bangarappa alleged that the Opposition BJP was making baseless allegations in connection with the Valmiki Development Corporation issue and was unable to tolerate the political growth of Dalit and Scheduled Caste leaders.
“Nagendra is a four-time MLA and a prominent Dalit and Scheduled Caste leader. The BJP is making politically motivated allegations against him. The party will have to pay a price for this,” he said.
Bangarappa said Nagendra was senior to him in politics and alleged that the BJP could not accept the growth of Dalit and Scheduled Caste leaders.
“Nagendra is innocent. After examining and discussing the investigation reports, we know that there is no truth in the allegations against him. The way the BJP treated a four-time elected Dalit leader has hurt not only Nagendra but also the marginalised communities,” he said.
Reacting to Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka’s allegations against Nagendra, Bangarappa asked whether Ashoka was a CBI officer to make such claims.
“Is R. Ashoka a CBI officer to argue the case against Nagendra? Investigating agencies will do their job. If something comes up at Ashoka’s doorstep someday, he will understand what the BJP is all about,” Bangarappa said.
He also criticised BJP leaders for celebrating Nagendra’s resignation.
“I have seen BJP leaders celebrating Nagendra’s resignation in the media. They are behaving as if nobody is as honest as them. Has BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra forgotten the fake signature issue?” he asked.
Bangarappa also targeted the BJP-JD(S) proposed padayatra, questioning the alliance’s stand on Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
He said it had been three years since permission was sought from the Governor to prosecute Kumaraswamy, but no sanction had been granted.
“Is there an exemption for Kumaraswamy because he is now in an alliance with you? Is there one law for them and another for us? First, let the BJP-JD(S) leaders undertake a padayatra against Kumaraswamy,” he said sarcastically.
Bangarappa said the government was ready for a discussion on the Nagendra issue during the Monsoon Session if the Opposition had given proper notice.
“The government itself had invited the Opposition to give notice and hold a proper discussion. But instead of participating in the debate, they disrupted the proceedings and wasted valuable time,” he said.
He said the Assembly had an opportunity to discuss several pressing issues affecting the state, including drought, the Cauvery water dispute and the Kasturirangan report, and find solutions to people’s problems.
“Instead, they brought up an issue and wasted the valuable time of the House for political reasons,” Bangarappa said.
(IANS)
