K B Koliwad looted money in cloud seeding: R Shankar

Forest Minister R Shankar on Thursday charged that former speaker K B Koliwad looted money in cloud seeding and sand mining.

"He has looted money in cloud seeding. He is involved in sand mining mafia. He has no work to do. Hence, he is blaming former Siddaramaiah for the Congress party's debacle in the recently concluded Assembly elections," he told reporters at Badami.

"Koliwad did not visit any house in Ranebennur Assembly constituency in the last four-and-half-years. Just before three month to the Assembly polls, he visited houses seeking votes. Will voters support him?" he questioned.

"Nobody knows who Koliwad is in the constituency. Every child knows who R Shankar is," he said.

"In many constituencies where Siddaramaiaha and Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned, the Congress and the BJP candidates lost. It is purely decision of the voters," he said.

To a question, he said that he had given support to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

There is a plan to grow trees. I have discussed with Siddaramaiah about the development of Badami. The government is stable and will last its full term of five years," he said.