Gadag, May 30 (Reporter) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has alleged that funds allocated to the Valmiki Corporation for the upliftment of SC/ST communities were embezzled and transferred to a Telangana co-operative society during the state assembly elections. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Bommai claimed that this large-scale misappropriation, involving significant sums of money, could not have occurred without high-level involvement and tacit approval from government officials. Karnataka ST Welfare Minister B. Nagendra has been accused of giving oral instructions related to the misuse of funds, although he has denied these allegations. The Corporation's Managing Director, however, claims his signature was forged. Bommai argued that the scam, involving Rs 94 crore, could not have happened without significant official involvement. He emphasized that the concerned minister should have resigned already, citing previous instances where Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K. Shivakumar demanded resignations in similar situations. Expressing skepticism about the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) ability to impartially investigate sitting ministers, Bommai called for the case to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He highlighted that the misappropriation exceeds Rs 10 crore and involves both government and bank officials. Bommai insisted that only a CBI investigation could ensure impartiality and justice, and called for CM Siddaramaiah’s resignation to facilitate an unbiased probe. Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that this case differs from the one involving K.S. Eshwarappa, which also involved allegations of corruption and led to a resignation. Bommai countered this by asserting that the current scandal is more severe, as it involves institutional irregularities and has resulted in an accountant’s suicide. According to him, the deceased officer’s revelations have exposed the extent of the corruption. Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statements about Mahatma Gandhi, Bommai urged people to understand the context. He noted that Modi, hailing from Gujarat, was emphasizing how Gandhi’s legacy had been overshadowed by the Nehru family post-independence. Bommai argued that while Nehru’s name became prominent, Mahatma Gandhi’s contributions were relegated to the background...////...