Yediyurappa denies corruption charges and says SIT formation was politically motivated | Latest News India

Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa has strongly denied allegations of corruption during his administration’s COVID-19 response and termed the Congress government’s decision to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as a politically motivated effort to divert public attention. The SIT was set up to investigate the alleged financial irregularities based on the findings of the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission, which recommended prosecution of Yediyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Yediyurappa accused the Congress of acting with “malicious intentions” by ordering the probe. “We don’t need to worry. They are doing this for political reasons, and we will face it legally,” he said.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is making sincere efforts to manage the epidemic despite challenges such as shortage of medicines and equipment. “We worked tirelessly to save lives during the crisis. People appreciate our efforts and this investigation is an attempt to mislead the public,” the former prime minister said.

The Karnataka Congress government’s decision to set up the SIT followed an interim report by the D’Cunha Commission on September 1, which accused the BJP-led administration of corruption, irresponsibility and concealment of records. Law minister HK Patil announced that the SIT, headed by the Inspector General of Police, will focus solely on investigating allegations of mismanagement and corruption during the pandemic.

“Recovery of funds will not be part of the scope of SIT. Recommendations to this effect may be taken up by another agency under the revenue department,” Patil added.

Patil criticized the BJP, accusing the previous government of failing to protect the public during the pandemic. “Instead of protecting people, they engaged in corruption and irresponsibility,” he said.

Yediyurappa dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, citing the ongoing controversy over chief minister Siddaramaiah. “Siddaramaiah cannot escape the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case,” he said, referring to allegations of illegal land allotment involving the CM’s family members. “Once he is summoned for questioning, the truth about his involvement will come out,” he added.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah claimed that the BJP was making attempts to woo Congress legislators, while Yediyurappa denied the allegation. “Such statements are not due to any action on our part but due to confusion within the party,” he said.

Yediyurappa also expressed confidence that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates will achieve victory in the by-polls for Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sadur assembly constituencies. The political atmosphere was positive for the NDA, he told reporters on Saturday, citing strong public support. “Voters in these constituencies showed overwhelming support for the NDA candidates. “I am confident that we will emerge victorious from all three seats,” Yediyurappa said.

Yediyurappa also announced that the BJP has formed a committee to address the ongoing controversy around the Wakf Board. The committee, tasked with developing a strategy to counter the Siddaramaiah government’s handling of the issue, will tour the state to gather inputs before submitting a report. “Based on the findings, the party will plan its agitation route,” he said.

Yediyurappa steered clear of speculation about efforts to destabilize the Congress-led government. “No one is interested in bringing down the Congress government,” he said, refuting allegations of attempts to bring Congress MLAs into the BJP fold.

Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated his claim that the BJP was trying to capture 50 Congress MLAs through the bid. ₹50 crore each. “They tried to arrange such escapes but failed,” he said on Sunday.