BJP questions timing of ‘Sadhana Samavesha’ amid ‘tragedies’

Bengaluru: The BJP on Friday dubbed the upcoming ‘Sadhana Samavesha’ event that the Congress has organised in Mysuru as a desperate bid by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hold on to his chair.

Pointing to the stampede at M Chinnaswami Stadium that claimed 11 lives, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka said, “Both CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar were present at the event, but they are trying to blame the police for the tragedy.”

Ashoka also sought to draw the government’s attention to the spate of farmer suicides in the state, pegged at around 2,500, and the disturbing number of maternal and infant fatalities. “More than ten contractors and officials have taken the extreme step of taking their life,” said Ashoka, who also cited the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam to underscore rampant corruption under the Congress in the state.

At a separate interaction with reporters, former Deputy CM Dr C N Ashwath Narayana dubbed the Congress regime ‘a government of scam kings’. “Many Dalit officials have taken their own life because of the oppressive and corrupt system under the Congress,” he said.

Questioning the government on its decision to hold a celebratory event for RCB without obtaining prior permission, Ashwath Narayana said, “While people died, the CM was eating masala dosa. Police had warned the government against holding the event, but their advice was ignored, but the officials are now being scapegoated.”

Both Ashoka and Ashwath Narayana accused the Congress of not ensuring fair distribution of funds to constituencies represented by opposition lawmakers. Ashoka also expressed concern over plans to hike GST on street vendors.