H D Kumaraswamy Calls for SIT Investigation into Bribery Allegations Against Congress MLAs

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegations of BJP attempting to bribe Congress MLAs in Karnataka.

P24 News Media

November 15, 2024

1 minute

H D Kumaraswamy Calls for SIT Investigation into Bribery Allegations Against Congress MLAs

India

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has voiced his demand for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the serious allegations made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the BJP's alleged attempts to bribe 50 Congress MLAs, offering them ₹50 crore each to destabilize the Karnataka government. This announcement was made on a Friday, highlighting the intense political climate in the state.

Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress government for not taking immediate action to investigate the bribery claims, stating that it is within their power to initiate such an inquiry. According to Siddaramaiah, not a single Congress MLA accepted the bribe, leading the BJP to retaliate by fabricating accusations against him, specifically referring to the ongoing investigation into the MUDA site allotment case.

The Lokayukta police, operating under the directive of a special court, have already filed cases against Siddaramaiah and his family members in connection with the MUDA investigation, further complicating the political landscape. Kumaraswamy labeled the Chief Minister's statements as reckless, suggesting they contribute to the growing distrust in the administration.

Kumaraswamy remarked that with Siddaramaiah having previously established several SITs to address various issues, he should not hesitate to create another one to clear the air regarding this bribery allegation. He implied that failure to establish such an investigation team would lead the public to question Siddaramaiah's integrity and that of his cabinet.

Additionally, Kumaraswamy responded to derogatory comments made by Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, who controversially referred to him using racially charged terms during an election rally in the Channapatna constituency. Kumaraswamy emphasized the need for decency in political discourse, stating that such remarks reflect poorly on the ruling government's culture.

This political drama unfolds as Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, gears up to contest the by-election in Channapatna under the JD(S) banner. The atmosphere is rife with tension as both parties navigate these accusations while campaigning for electoral support.

Overall, the demands for an SIT investigation into the bribery allegations and the surrounding controversies serve to underline the complexities within Karnataka's political dynamics, amidst growing scrutiny of both the BJP and Congress parties. The political arena is likely to become even more charged as the situation develops, with potential implications for the upcoming elections.