Bengaluru: KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad launched a scathing attack on BJP leaders during a press conference held at the KPCC office, addressing the resignation of former minister B. Nagendra and recent political developments. He termed Nagendra’s resignation not as a victory for the BJP, but as a victory of a conspiracy hatched against a Dalit community leader.
Nagendra’s Resignation: Moral Responsibility, Not BJP’s Victory
B. Nagendra resigned from his ministerial post, taking moral responsibility in public life. It is childish for BJP leaders to celebrate this by claiming that “a wicket has fallen.” Politics is not an IPL cricket match. Those who talk about a wicket falling should first introspect and look at how many people in their own party have faced charge sheets, served jail time, are out on bail, and are still “batting and bowling,” Hariprasad retorted.
BJP Office is Not a Court
While it is the job of investigative agencies to make allegations, it is the job of the court to determine whether someone is guilty or not.
The BJP office is neither a court nor are its leaders judges, he lashed out angrily. As soon as reports of irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation surfaced, the state government ordered an SIT probe on its own. The truth came out through the investigation, and action was also taken against the officials, he noted.
Reference to ED and Court Orders
BJP leaders must properly read and understand the order issued by the special court while granting bail to B. Nagendra. The special court itself recorded in its bail order that the ED had not provided any evidence showing that Nagendra had received or used ₹94.73 crore, as claimed by their investigation. Nagendra was not even named as an accused in the SIT charge sheet. Whether the CBI or ED investigates, they should prove their allegations in court if they have documents; however, the political tactic of projecting mere allegations as punishment is unacceptable, he made clear.
Hariprasad Recalls Bellary and Corruption History
Challenging the BJP, Hariprasad said that if they have the moral standing to talk about corruption, let the debate begin right from Bellary. The people of Karnataka have not forgotten the 2011 Lokayukta illegal mining report, the Reddy brothers, and the Bellary politics of that era. Gali Janardhana Reddy spent over three years in jail in connection with the illegal mining case, and later a special CBI court even convicted him. Yet, such people are lecturing on corruption.
Doesn’t “Junior Yediyurappa,” who sent his own father to jail over accepting a bribe via a cheque, have any shame in talking about corruption? Karnataka has not forgotten B.S. Yediyurappa going to judicial custody in 2011. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra called Nagendra a “small fish”—if they have the documents to prove who the “big fish” is, let them prove it with “dhammu and taakat” (guts and strength) in BJP’s language, he challenged.
Misuse of Central Agencies and “Washing Machine” Politics
After 2014, around 25 prominent opposition leaders facing action from central investigative agencies joined the BJP or BJP-led alliances. Out of these, 23 got relief from legal actions and three cases were closed. The Prime Minister, who used to claim “Na Khaunga, Na Khane Dounga” (Will not take, will not let take), has connived with the corrupt. What moral ground do they have to talk about Nagendra now?
Congress Party’s Support to the Leader
If BJP leaders are unemployed, they are free to undertake a padayatra; it is good for their health. But the BJP has no moral authority to speak about corruption. B. Nagendra is a four-time MLA and a strong leader of the ST community. The party will not abandon him mid-stream and will accord him appropriate status and position. Criticizing the opposition for disrupting the assembly, Hariprasad said the BJP lacked the courage to discuss drought because they would have to face questions regarding the funds due from the Centre, and instead ruined assembly proceedings over the Nagendra issue. Central investigative agencies are exclusively targeting opposition leaders, and Governors’ offices are being pressured by the Centre to grant sanction for prosecution while the Governors themselves remain trapped in uncertainty.
No BJP leaders are Harishchandras (symbols of absolute truth). Have any of them resigned the moment allegations were leveled against them? The people will teach them a fitting lesson.
