Challenge for open debate: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra trade barbs on social media

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP state president B Y Vijayendra has said that an ordinary party cadre is enough to the expose the “corrupt zero-development” Congress rule in the state.

Responding to the chief minister’s challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate, Vijayendra said he welcomed a debate where they would argue on the contributions of the Modi government and the programmes of the previous BJP governments. Vijayendra and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah traded barbs online over the issue.

Following the verbal spat between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra and Siddaramaiah fought online over corruption, atrocities against women, the economy and so on.

Responding to this, Siddaramaiah hit out at the internal bickerings within the BJP by saying: “First, please have a discussion with BJP leaders Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jarkiholi. Your own leaders have alleged that Rs 2,000 crore was paid to make your father the chief minister and Rs 1,500 crore was paid to make you the BJP state president. Finish your discussions with them and come to me.”

Vijayendra said that the one-and-a-half-year rule of the Congress had seen back-to-back scams, social discrimination and atrocities against women.

Responding sharply, Siddaramaiah asked Vijayendra whether his conscience did not prick him while alleging that crimes against women had increased under the Congress rule.

“Are you not ashamed of lecturing about the safety of women when your own father is accused in a Pocso case and is out on bail,” the chief minister said.

On scams

While Vijayendra said it was “impossible” for Siddaramaiah to emerge “blemish-free” from the allegations in the Valmiki corporation and MUDA scam, the chief minister said Vijayendra did not have the moral right to accuse him of corruption in this life.

Siddaramaiah retorted saying, “You are a kingpin of corruption scandals, including those on denotification, illegal mining and money laundering. Just imagine what will happen to you if CBI and ED investigate these cases without succumbing to political pressure. Don’t venture into throwing stones while sitting in a glasshouse,” he said.