"Corruption rampant in every department": Karnataka BJP chief slams Congress-led govt on housing allotment

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 24 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party's Karnataka state president BY Vijayendra on Tuesday for "rampant corruption in every department" after multiple Congress MLAs alleged that government work is not being done without paying bribes to officials, as the state has been converted into an "ATM for Congress high command."
"Congress MLA BR Patil has alleged that there is rampant corruption in the Housing department. The allegation he has made is that without paying a bribe, the common man is not getting houses allotted in rural areas. One more Congress MLA, Raju Kage, has stated that he is frustrated. The grants meant for the development of his constituency have not been released because the commission has not been paid," Vijayendra told reporters here.
He further criticised the state's home minister, G Parameshwara, who had purportedly claimed that the state lacked funds, and alleged that the state has become an "ATM for the Congress high command."
"G Parameshwara said, 'Don't ask for funds from Siddaramaiah', as there are no funds for development. This is the state of affairs in the state. Corruption is rampant in every department. BJP has claimed that Karnataka is becoming an ATM for the Congress high command. Due to the pressure exerted by the CM, all state ministers are under pressure to collect money," he said.
The state BJP Chief further alleged that the state government has handed over the state to the "commission mafia," and demanded the Housing Affairs Minister's resignation.
"State govt and CM have handed over the state to the commission mafia...I demand that the CM should not only ask for Zameer Ahmad's resignation, but he should resign from the post of CM. I urge the Governor to take up this matter seriously," he added.
Earlier today, after Congress leader BR Patil raised allegations of irregularities in housing allotment after the state increased the minority housing quota to 15 pc, party leader Raju Kage also alleged that he is facing similar problems and alluded to possibly resigning within a few days due to the frustration.
"What BR Patil said is true... The same situation is being created for me too... It wouldn't be surprising if I submit my resignation to the CM in the next two days", Kage told ANI.
BR Patil had earlier levelled serious allegations against the Housing Board, stating that houses under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme are allotted only when bribes are paid. According to Patil, he is supposed to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tomorrow (June 25) after the latter invited him for a meeting, possibly to discuss the allegations raised.
Patil acknowledged that it was his voice in the audio clip that went viral on social media, where a phone conversation purportedly between Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant (PA) to Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, has brought the Congress government under fire due to allegations of irregularities in the housing allotment. (ANI)