Bengaluru, Nov 6: The Karnataka BJP has raised serious allegations over the ongoing Lokayukta investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing the inquiry of being a “match-fixing” operation. The party has questioned the timing and structure of the investigation, suggesting that it has been scripted to benefit the CM.
BJP leaders R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, both criticized the investigation’s schedule and handling, suggesting that the probe was predetermined.
Speaking to reporters at the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru, Ashoka highlighted an apparent contradiction in the travel plan released by CM Siddaramaiah, which stated that he would attend the Lokayukta investigation from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by a road trip to his Channapatna constituency. Ashoka questioned how the CM could be certain that the questioning would conclude within two hours.
“CM Siddaramaiah is facing the Lokayukta investigation today, but we are ashamed of it,” Ashoka said. “He claims his political career is an open book, but he is now sitting before an officer who works under him. Is this investigation match-fixing? How can the investigation time be fixed beforehand?”
He further criticized the rushed nature of the investigation, comparing it to the prolonged raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in corruption cases, where investigations often last for several days. “Has CM Siddaramaiah asked the Lokayukta officers to finish questioning at a specific time? How is that even possible?” Ashoka remarked.
Ashoka also pointed out that the officers had questioned Siddaramaiah’s wife first, before even interrogating the Chief Minister himself, which he considered irregular. He questioned the fairness of an investigation conducted by officers under the direct authority of the CM.
The BJP has been demanding a CBI probe into the corruption allegations against Siddaramaiah, particularly in relation to the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) case, claiming that the Lokayukta investigation would yield no real results.
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa also weighed in on the issue, stating that the Lokayukta inquiry would ultimately be a “whitewash.” He urged CM Siddaramaiah to hand the case over to the CBI, claiming that the current investigation was a mere façade.
“CM Siddaramaiah’s involvement in corruption is well-known. I urge him to hand over the case to the CBI,” Yediyurappa said, adding that the Lokayukta probe was unlikely to bring any substantial results. He added that the Chief Minister’s attempts to project himself as a “clean leader” were just eyewash.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy also criticized the manner in which the investigation was being conducted, noting that Siddaramaiah is the first sitting Chief Minister to face a Lokayukta probe. He expressed doubts about the fairness of the inquiry, suggesting that the investigation’s timeline appeared to be coordinated with the CM’s travel schedule.
“How can the workers question their boss? There’s no possibility of a fair report,” Narayanaswamy said. “CM Siddaramaiah should have resigned, and the CBI should probe this case. The truth won’t come out in the Lokayukta inquiry.”
The opposition leaders’ accusations of a stage-managed investigation have raised further tensions, with the BJP calling for a higher-level investigation into the allegations against the Chief Minister. As the controversy continues to unfold, the opposition remains adamant that only a CBI inquiry will uncover the truth behind the corruption charges.