Siddaramaiah flayed for 'misusing' taxpayers' money

Former MP and JD(S) leader A H Vishwanath on Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly misusing taxpayers' money for reaping political benefits.

Vishwanath said that he has written a letter to Karnataka Chief Secretary (CS) and Chief Election Commissioner in this regard.

In a press conference here Vishwanath said that Siddaramaiah is misusing people's money to hold achievement rallies (Sadhana Samavesha) of the Congress party. "In government programmes, the CM and the party leaders, have been campaigning for the Congress party and are urging people to support the Congress in the upcoming general election. This is a violation of the election model code of conduct. So, I have filed a complaint with the CS and Election Commissioner," Vishwanath said.

'Relaunched old schemes'

"The government has spent Rs 1,300 crore for the publicity purpose. As the general election is nearing, the Congress government is launching a variety of programmes. It has renamed old programmes and is relaunching them for publicity. What is the achievement of the government in the last four and a half years? What measures has the government taken to address, farmers issues, Mahadayi and Cauvery River water-sharing issues?" he asked.

"Corruption is rampant in all government departments and the officials are being misused for the poll purpose. While 465 employees are working at the Chief Minister's office, 15 people are working at the office of CM's Media Advisor Dinesh Amin Mattu. But the CM has failed to give good governance," he said.

Highlighting the Karnataka poll survey by C-Voter, Vishwanath said that the survey has turned into 'Cash for Survey' and it has no significance. "What is Siddaramaiah's contribution to Mysuru. Siddaramaiah visits Mysuru often only to meet Congress party leaders Marigowda and Mariswamy. Siddaramaiah has diverted the powers of the local body members to MLAs and has given all Bhagyas, except Makkala (child) Bhagya," Vishwanath said.

Revenge politics

"Siddaramaiah is playing revenge politics. After Periyapatna MLA K Venkatesh was nominated as Chairman for Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), the CM transferred my son-in-law, who was Superintendent Engineer in BDA, and did not show him any post for a year," said Vishwanath.