Karnataka witnessed a political mudslinging match between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress on Thursday over an alleged procurement scam. The Congress has alleged the BJP ministers and officers have swindled Rs 2,000 crore in purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment.
"The Congress party making baseless allegations against the state government is highly regrettable. It is a shame that opposition leaders have chosen such trying times to target the government. The Congress leaders are trying to revive their party by creating a false narrative," said Medical Education Minister Dr K. Sudhakar in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The minister was addressing a press meet with four other ministers—Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Revenue Minister R. Ashok and Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar, less than a two hours after former chief minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief D.K. Shivakumar held a joint press meet.
"The opposition leaders are only citing the proposals and estimates for the procurement of COVID-19-related medical equipment and not the approvals or actual expenditure. They have alleged my department has spent Rs 815 crore. But I have documents to prove only Rs 33.46 crore has been spent," said Sudhakar, adding that it was a pity that experienced leaders too did not know the difference between proposals and approvals.
Dr Ashwath Narayan alleged the Congress was trying to instil fear among the people and demoralise the officers fighting the COVID-19 in the state.
"The Congress leaders were making baseless allegations, when we were busy with COVID-19 work. So, we did not feel the need to reply to those who shoot in the air. We were ready to provide all the answers in the House," said Ashwath Narayan, referring to Siddaramaiah allegation that the government had not responded to any of his letters seeking accountability.
Home Minister Bommai slammed the Congress saying it was an "irresponsible" opposition party. "As the charges are politically motivated, we don't feel the need to order a probe," asserted Bommai.
Hitting back at the Congress leaders, Ashwath Narayan alleged that the previous coalition government had purchased ventilators paying an exorbitant cost of Rs 21.5 lakh in January 2019. In contrast, the BJP government had purchased ventilators with higher specification for Rs 13.44 lakh during the pandemic when supply lines were disrupted. He said that those who are talking of cost variation (Rs 9 lakh to Rs 18 lakh) of ventilators don't understand that the cost varies with specification.
Ashok mocked at the Congress leaders for "staying indoors". "Show me one Congressman who has helped a COVID-19 patient. We all are slogging for the last four months. The only time I saw the Congress leaders outside was when they waved at the migrant workers leaving the city," he said.
