Blurb
Charantimath stated statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Basaveshwara were ready, no government funds were requested, but Siddaramaiah approved ₹40 lakhs each, citing by-election motives
Bagalkot
Former BJP MLA candidate from Bagalkot, Dr. Veeranna Charantimath, has alleged that the State Government’s decision to release ₹40 lakh each for the installation of statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Basaveshwara in Bagalkot is merely a by-election gimmick.
Speaking at a press conference in Bagalkot city, Charantimath said that statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Basaveshwara are already ready and kept in a godown, and that no demand had been made for government funds for the purpose. He alleged that a non-administrative person had written a letter seeking funds for the statues and that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah approved the proposal and sanctioned ₹40 lakh each. According to him, the move was made only with the upcoming by-election in mind.
Charantimath further claimed that earlier the installation of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not permitted and that the statue had even been kept in a police station at one point. He termed the incident as an insult to the community by the Congress government. He accused the ruling party of attempting to gain political advantage ahead of the Bagalkot by-election through such announcements.
