Rejecting the BJP’s demand for a CBI inquiry into the recent Ballari violence in which a Congress worker was shot dead, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday made it clear that the case will not be transferred to the central agency.
Speaking to mediapersons on his arrival at Mysuru Airport this afternoon, while on his way to Suttur, the Chief Minister said the BJP has no moral authority to seek a CBI probe, as it failed to hand over any case to the agency during its tenure in power.
He recalled that he had earlier entrusted eight cases, including the George case and the Soujanya murder case, to the CBI, but said no sensational or substantial outcome emerged from those investigations. Referring to a past Supreme Court order barring BJP leader G. Janardhan Reddy from entering Ballari, Siddaramaiah remarked that the BJP should be credited with turning Ballari into a “Republic of Ballari.” Launching a sharp attack on the BJP and the Reddy brothers, he said the Congress has nothing to learn from them.
Responding to questions on the BJP’s opposition to the Special Joint Session of the State Legislature beginning January 22, the Chief Minister accused the Union Government of weakening the foundation of rural employment by replacing the MGNREGA introduced by the UPA-led Congress government two decades ago.
He said the special session has been convened to hold an in-depth discussion on the Centre’s VB G Ram G Act, which replaced MGNREGA, terming the issue serious as the move would deprive the poor of employment. The State Congress Government, he added, opposes the new Act as it believes it will adversely affect rural livelihoods.
On the Lokayukta raids on Excise Department officials, Siddaramaiah said he was unaware of the Excise Minister’s name being mentioned. He said the Lokayukta is free to continue its probe and ensure that the guilty are punished.
The Chief Minister declined to comment on State political issues and left the airport by road to Suttur in Nanjangud taluk, where the week-long Suttur Jatra is in progress.