Sa Ra Mahesh calls Karnataka govt 'most corrupt'

Mysuru: JD(S) state working president and former minister Sa Ra Mahesh on Tuesday said that the present government in Karnataka, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is the most corrupt so far.

Addressing a media conference in Mysuru on Tuesday, he said, “Under the Congress government, which came to power by accusing the earlier BJP of a 40% commission, corruption is more than ever before. The ministers are approving new projects without completing old ones with a desire for commission”.

“Two years have passed since the Congress came to power in Karnataka. Under the guise of guarantee schemes, it has increased the price of electricity, milk, petrol, diesel, water, liquor and bus fare. Common people are suffering, due to the doubled prices,” Mahesh alleged.

“In KR Nagar Assembly constituency, which I represented as MLA earlier, road works from Bettahalli to Sigodu at a cost of Rs 10 crore, at a cost of Rs 3 crore from Tandre village to Saligrama, and at a cost of Rs 3 crore from Hanasoge to Chunchanakatte and Hanasoge to Chikka Chunchanakatte villages were started two years ago. But, they have not been completed yet,” he complained.

“A farmer, who owned two acres of land adjacent to the Mysuru-Nanjangud road had applied for conversion to build a house. MUDA officials are pressuring him to give up the remaining land for widening of the road, in order to approve 10 guntas for residential purpose. Similarly, under the Mysuru-Bengaluru Infrastructure Corridor, farmers' lands were usurped. Now, toll is being collected from them to use the road,” Mahesh pointed out.

Reacting to a threat by a RTI activist, who is planning to file a case against him, Mahseh said, “Mahesh cannot be intimidated like they did to CM Siddaramaiah. I know the rules. Once an agricultural land is converted, it is no more a land, but a site. So, I have not committed any mistake in the said case”.

Regarding Minister Zameer Ahmed’s offer to go to war, with a suicide bomb, to Pakistan, Mahesh said, “I appreciate his patriotism. But, let him tell us, what action has been taken against those who shouted 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in Vidhana Soudha”.

Keep RTI activists away

Elaborating on the activities of RTI activists, Mahesh said, “RTI activists are swarming the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), causing problems to the people”.

“CCTV cameras should be installed in every chamber of MUDA. Brokers and RTI activists should not be allowed to roam around in the MUDA office. MUDA officials and police should keep a watch on them,” he said.