The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its criticism of the Karnataka Congress on Friday, alleging that the party is attempting to shield itself from scrutiny related to the alleged MUDA “scam.” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla labeled Congress as “Bhrashtachar Ke Bhaijaan,” suggesting that they have shifted focus from governance to corruption. He made these remarks during a press conference, questioning the moral authority of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to remain in office amid allegations of corrupt practices benefiting family members.
Poonawalla asserted that the Congress party has a history of entangling itself with land-related corruption, stating, “Congress is a ‘zameen se judi hui’ party.” He cited various instances, including the National Herald case and allegations in Haryana, where Congress members allegedly register land in the names of their relatives. According to him, the party’s governance is fundamentally about enriching family members through corrupt means.
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the Congress’s response to the revelations of the MUDA scam has been akin to that of “certified looters.” He claimed that the party withdrew general consent for a CBI investigation to evade accountability. “They are behaving like professional thieves, and their approach toward corruption has become pervasive across the country,” Poonawalla stated.
Highlighting recent actions taken against the Chief Minister, Poonawalla mentioned that Siddaramaiah faced criticism from the Karnataka Governor and the Karnataka High Court regarding the MUDA scam. He also noted that Congress leaders insulted and verbally attacked the Governor in their defense.
Poonawalla further criticized Congress’s treatment of journalists, claiming that they attempted to stifle media inquiries when confronted about their actions. “This shows that Congress isn’t running a ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan,’ but rather is a ‘Bhrashtachar Ke Bhaijaan,'” he asserted.
The BJP spokesperson concluded by emphasizing that the recent withdrawal of consent for a CBI probe reflects a guilty mindset within the Congress government. “This move is a clear attempt to block the CBI to avoid investigation,” he said, questioning the timing of the Congress’s claims that the CBI was acting vindictively since their government was formed in May 2023.
Earlier on Thursday, the Karnataka government announced the withdrawal of open consent to the CBI for conducting investigations in the state, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in governance.
