JOIN USGowda targets Bidari
The JD(S) supremo, who convened a press conference following the FIR filed by the CID regarding the alleged irregularities in the Upper Krishna project on Wednesday, hit out at top cop Shankar Bidari for conspiring against him in the matter.
Giving a detailed clarification on the project, Gowda said it was cleared after careful consideration and after having been scrutinised by a high-level committee and the cabinet.
“It was not a one-way decision. The project details passed through four stages, and were cleared only then,” he said.
The JD(S) leader said that when the BJP government had given the go ahead for the probe into the matter last year, retired IPS officer D V Guruprasad - who was then holding charge as ADGP, CID - went through the report and dismissed the matter.
“I don’t know why he (Guruprasad) didn’t file a case. However, the minute Bidari took charge he has filed a case. The officer, who has been aspiring for the DG&IGP post, may be hoping that this would be a sure shot way for his desire to be fulfilled,” alleged Gowda.
Gowda said that while the Congress had dragged its feet over the implementation of the project, he was responsible for its execution during his tenure as chief minister.
“Let Dharam Singh, Kharge, S M Krishna or even Yeddyurappa come - let the issue be discussed in a public platform. Let the people of the districts where the project is spread across decide whether they want to go by caste or by the work that I have done”.
‘Hit back’
Gowda, who side stepped a direct question about the BJP’s involvement in the matter, said: “If BJP is targeting me, then I will target the entire party. I am going to hit back,” he said, adding he would even wage a battle against the Congress, if need be.
He also accused former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa of controlling the BJP government from inside the jail. “There is no doubt about that. In fact, just before he left the Jayadeva Hospital, it looked like a mini cabinet had been convened by him. Around 15 ministers and Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda were present in the meeting at the hospital,” he said.
Gowda said despite his dharnas against the government for not allocating funds for Hassan district in the last three-and-a-half years, nothing had materialised.
“Before Yeddyurappa resigned, he had written me a letter saying he would convene a meeting. But nothing happened. When Sadananda Gowda took charge, he allocated Rs 18 crore for Hassan district. But till date not even 18 paise has reached the district. This only goes to show that Yeddyurappa is still calling the shots,” he added.
CID filed plaint after HC direction: CM
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Thursday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was acting as per the directions of the Karnataka High Court on the alleged irregularities and financial misappropriation in the Upper Krishna Project and the government had no role to play in the entire issue.
“The Criminal Investigation Department is acting upon the directions of the court which has sought a probe into the Upper Krishna Project by an appropriate authority. There is no intervention of the government at all,” Gowda said, when Deccan Herald sought his reactions on the allegations levelled by Deve Gowda against the government.
The chief minister said as a matter of policy, he would not like to comment on matters in the court and those in various stages of investigation.