Karwar: Urging the chief minister to drop the tainted ministers from the Cabinet, members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protested in front of assistant commissioner’s office on 25th August, Friday.
Addressing the protesters, BJP leader from Bhatkal J D Naik said, Siddaramaiah government was protecting corrupt MLA and ministers. If Siddaramaiah had any respect for values, he should immediately drop the tainted ministers from his Cabinet.
Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Hedge from Haliyal said, corruption has reached its peak in the Congress government in the State. BJP had launched a campaign to create awareness among people about corrupt practices of Congress government and protest would be expanded to all district soon.
Pramod Hegde of Yellapur said that there was anti-Congress wave in the country and people living in the states ruled by Congress government wanted to free their states from Congress’ rule. BJP was in power in 18 States in the country and the upcoming assembly elections would prove a death knell for Congress’ in the state also.
The BJP, in its memorandum stated that the ministers involved in corruption cases were surfacing every day. Chief Minister and some of his Cabinet colleagues who were facing serious corruption charges were shamelessly moving in public. When Income Tax Department sleuths raided Energy Minister D K Shivakumar’s residence recently, Siddaramaiah blamed the Centre for the raid. Instead of warning his Cabinet colleagues to refrain from corruption, CM tried to divert attention of people by pointing his fingers at the Centre. Similarly, the CM protected Ramesh Jarkiholi, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, whose houses were raided by I-T sleuths.
Further, the BJP said, sand mafia had gone beyond control. Attempts were being made to kill officials who tried to stop illegal sand mining. Honest officials were discharging their duty under constant fear of attack by goondas supported by sand mafia. He said, BJP would launch State-wide agitation, organise bike rallies, torch processions and stage dharnas to inform people about the wrong doings of Congress government