Will PM Modi quit if proven wrong, asks Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on excise funds allegations

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he would resign from the post of PM if the allegations of Rs 700 crore corruption in the excise department is not proved. Siddaramaiah said that he would retire from politics if a rupee of corruption in the department is proved, and posed if PM would also do the same if it is not proved.

While answering a question by media persons about PM Narendra Modi's statement during his election speech in Maharashtra about allegation of corruptions in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said, "We have not done any corruption and we will not do it, too. It was previous BJP-led state government which had done a lot of corruption and there are proofs to that. There is a report by retired justice Dr Kuna Commission on corruption by them in procurement of PPE kits during Covid pandemic. They had bought each at the cost of Rs 2140 when its actual rate was just Rs 330. What will PM Modi say about that?" he asked.

He added, "PM Narendra Modi is targeting Karnataka and Siddaramaiah in his election speeches as it is a big state and 136 BJP leaders have been defeated in the Assembly election."

Regarding Enforcement Directorate's probe against Raichur retired IAS officer MP Kumar Nayak, he said, "Let them to do it as per the law. We don't come in its way. I won't comment on it. All that I can say is they are enquiring false cases," he said.

He also said that he is confident of winning all three seats in legislative assembly by-election.

About minister Zameer Ahmed Khan's comment on H D Kumaraswamy, he said, "They were kith and kin. I don't know about their relationship. Zameer has already clarified it. I won't comment on it. How was it right for former MP H D Devegowda to comment on a ruling chief minister, who said that he would break Siddaramaiah's ego 'sokku murithini, garva bhanga maadthini.'"

On allegations of proposal for reservation in for muslim contractors for government works , he said, "There is a demand for it, but no decision has been taken in this regard."

He went on to add that, "BJP leaders inflict communalism and incite conflicts between different communities. They do not want people to live with peace, with brotherhood."

When asked about alleged proposal to lift night traffic ban on NH to Kerala via Bandipur, he said, "As far as I know there is no such discussion or proposal."

On re-induction of Nagendra as minister, CM said, "When people asked about it in a function at H D Kote, I only mentioned about assessing it after assembly by-election," he said.