Bengaluru
The opposition BJP launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress during Monday’s assembly session, highlighting the alleged Rs 187 crore scam involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation. Leader of the opposition, R Ashoka, accused the government of an ‘anti-Dalit’ stance despite claiming to champion Dalit causes.
Describing the scandal as the ‘100 per cent Khata-Khat’ scam, Ashoka asserted that it surpassed previous corruption cases in magnitude. He alleged that Accounts Superintendent Chandrasekharan P’s death was not a suicide but a murder orchestrated by corrupt officials. According to Ashoka, Chandrasekharan was coerced during a Goa trip to approve illegal money transfers before his demise.
Tensions flared in both the Assembly and Legislative Council as BJP members pressed for discussion on the issue, which the Congress contested citing ongoing SIT, CBI, and ED investigations. Chairman Basavaraj Horatti initially withheld permission but later allowed discussion under strict conditions after consulting the Advocate General.
The session saw heated exchanges and protests from BJP and JD(S) members, leading to multiple adjournments. Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister B Nagendra resigned amidst allegations related to the scam, currently under ED scrutiny. The controversy underscores growing political tensions over corruption allegations, overshadowing legislative proceedings.
