Siddaramaiah building 'Sheesh Mahal' in Bengaluru, alleges BJP

BJP also took aim at the Congress over the Karnataka State Contractors' Association's corruption allegation, calling it a "deeply concerning and disgraceful situation".

New Delhi: Alleging that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trying to replicate  the infamous 'Sheesh Mahal' experiment while taking out renovation of his official residence, the BJP on Tuesday demanded the Congress central leadership to clarify its stand on it.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told reporters here that "There were media reports that total Rs 2.6 crore would be spent for the renovation of the CM official residence Cauvery at Bengaluru. The Congress must clarify whether it obtained financial approval and completed the necessary procedures. If it did follow due procedure, it should present proof." 

"If not, then the question arises if the Congress in Karnataka is attempting to bypass rules and laws, much like its old ally in Delhi, in a bid to replicate the infamous 'Sheesh Mahal' experiment," he added, referring to the Delhi chief minister's official residence that was allegedly renovated at a cost of crores of rupees during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure.

Insisting that the Congress government in Karnataka had every right to undertake "reconstruction" of the chief minister's official residence, he said “the party must confirm whether due legal procedures were followed. Otherwise, at first glance, this appears to be yet another instance of corruption."

Trivedi also took aim at the Congress over the Karnataka State Contractors' Association's corruption allegation, calling it a "deeply concerning and disgraceful situation".

"The Karnataka contractors' association has exposed an unprecedented level of corruption within the government. After coming to power, the Congress government has not only failed to fulfil its promises but also diverted funds meant for Dalit welfare schemes, further sinking into corruption and this was clearly highlighted by the association," the BJP leader said.