Congress MLAs on junket for political lobbying, alleges BJP

Bengaluru: The proposed ‘foreign tour’ of Congress legislators to Australia and New Zealand was flayed by opposition parties, who alleged that it was a “junket for political lobbying” and not a study tour.

Speculations are rife over 25 Congress legislators from the Siddaramaiah camp going on an official “study tour,” organised by Animal Husbandry department, from February 17 to March 7. However, the minister concerned has denied this.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday said, “This is not a legislature committee tour nor a government delegation. What exactly is it? It appears to be a junket meant for political lobbying to favour Siddaramaiah.”

Questioning the timing of the tour, Ashoka said that a musical chair for the CM’s chair was in motion and the state Budget was also under preparation. But the Congress MLAs were flying abroad instead of preparing demands for their constituencies in the upcoming budget.

MLA Allamaprabhu Patil said, “It is a private tour. We have given our demands to the district in charge. My son and I will be going to Australia and New Zealand from Feb 17 till March 7. If high command asks us not to go, I will not go.”

Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh, while distancing himself from the controversy, said, “My department is not taking anyone on a foreign tour. We don’t have funds. During the session, some MLAs made plans to go on a tour. But now I am not going. Also, MLAs do not need anybody’s permission to go on a private tour.”

Ashoka also asked, “Is this a study tour. Are they going to study the sheep and cattle abroad. Why is the tour only for Congress members? Is it a tour for scientists and PhD holders? If it’s a private tour and not involving taxpayers’ money, who is paying for it,” and how?.”

Calling it “foreign resort politics,” Ashoka said the Speaker should clarify the status of the tour and whether any official approval had been granted. He also suggested that the team should study the “four legs” of the CM’s chair that are being pulled apart (by the factions).

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra alleged that the CM was giving ‘Foreign Bhagya’ to Congress legislators to save his post.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar gave a cryptic reply when asked about the legislators’ tour. “I don’t know what instructions the CM has given to the MLAs,” he said.