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Rattled by Narendra Modi’s accusation of rampant corruption and deterioration of law and order in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday hit out at the Prime Minister, claiming that “the pride of Kannadigas” had been hurt by the “lies about the State and its performance”.
Taking offence to Modi’s remark of Karnataka being a “10 per cent government”, an insinuation that it charges 10 per cent commission on all projects, Siddaramaiah demanded proof.
“Modi is ‘morally not right to be Prime Minister of the country’. What moral right does he have to talk on corruption, when he did not have a Lokayukta for nine years in his home State when he was CM; he is yet to appoint a Lokpal at the Centre. By not acting, he is just facilitating corporate corruption,” he said.
‘Dubious morality’
Siddaramaiah went on to rake up BJP chief Amit Shah alleged involvement in a murder case, and mentioned the party’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s term in jail. “What moral right do they have to accuse a Congress government which has an unblemished record?”
Siddaramaiah said: “Modi is just peddling lies, nothing but lies.”
He also questioned the BJP’s track-record in maintaining law and order in States ruled by the party. “How many died in Godhra during Modi’s tenure as chief minister? 2,000 dead. Also, is there any law and order in Haryana? Wherever the BJP is in power, there is no protection for minorities.”
Centre’s own data
Highlighting Karnataka’s performance by using data released by the Centre, the Chief Minister advised the Prime Minister to refer to it before lying. “Centre’s data show that Karnataka has progressed from No 11 in investment till 2013, and jumped to the No 1 slot for the last two fiscals (2016-17 and 2017-18).”
On the BJP’s claim that the Centre had delivered a huge financial package under 14th Finance Commission towards development in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said the Centre is only giving back money owed to the States. “Karnataka stands third in the tax collection and its share in country’s total collection is around 9.47 per cent and in turn it gets back 4.65 per cent.”
“Modi and Amit Shah keep making comments that he has given so much money to the States. Where do you think this money is coming from? It’s the taxes collected in the States which was sent to Centre. It’s our money which comes back,” Siddaramaiah explained.
Chief Minister claimed that Karnataka has received less than what it was entitled to. “As per 14th Finance Commission, in last three years we were supposed to get ₹95,200 crore, whereas we got ₹84,500 crore; so they have to give ₹10,000 crore,” he said.
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