Valmiki scam: Assembly plunges into chaos as BJP accuses CM of cover-up
18-Jul-2024 11:22 PM 2284
Bengaluru, July 18 (Reporter) The Karnataka Assembly plunged into pandemonium on Thursday as revelations about the Rs 187 crore scam within the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation sparked fierce debates, leading to an adjournment of the house. BJP legislator Araga Jnanendra demanded answers regarding the omission of arrested former minister B Nagendra's name from the official complaint, despite allegations from Kavitha, the widow of deceased accounts superintendent Chandrasekharan P. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah retorted sharply, "If you are wrong, we will take action against you as well." However, he was quick to remind the opposition of Kavitha's initial complaint, which named only three individuals: MD JG Padmanabha, Accountant Parashuram Durgannanavar, and Chief General Manager Suchismita Rahul. Jnanendra and fellow BJP MLA Arvind Bellad countered, alleging that Kavitha had initially included the minister's name in a complaint filed at 2 AM on May 27, only to be pressured into lodging a revised complaint the next morning that omitted this crucial detail. "You said you will not protect anyone, then why are you protecting the (former) minister?" Jnanendra challenged, his voice rising above the din of the assembly. CM Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of deliberately sowing confusion. "Do you dispute Kavitha's complaint?" he asked. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal fired back, accusing the CM of misleading the house and attempting to cover up the scam. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as opposition members surged into the well of the house, brandishing placards and posters. The Speaker, UT Khader, had no choice but to adjourn proceedings until Friday morning amidst the chaos. The explosive session follows the arrest of Nagendra by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged scam. Nagendra, who had resigned from his ministerial post following Chandrasekharan's suicide, stands accused of being involved in the illicit transfer of Rs 187 crore from the Corporation's funds. Siddaramaiah maintained that the death note left by Chandrasekharan, which named Padmanabha, Durgannanavar, and Rahul, was to be considered the primary evidence. "We have to consider the death note as truth – this is what Ashoka said," he reminded the assembly. The ED's search operations at the residences of Nagendra and Basanagouda Daddal, the Chairperson of the Corporation, is said to have unearthed incriminating documents linking them to the fund diversion during the recent elections. Associates closely linked to Nagendra were also implicated in the scandal...////...
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