Vijayendra demands Excise Minister’s resignation

State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra has demanded the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur in the wake of the arrest of three Excise Department officials by the Lokayukta for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to clear liquor-related licenses.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on January 18, Mr. Vijayendra said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should be held “morally” accountable for the corruption in the Congress government if he is not able to obtain the resignation of his Ministerial colleague.

He said the audio clipping has exposed the “truth” and the Chief Minister should take moral responsibility for the corruption in his government.

He also criticised Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for not attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet in Davos and holding meetings with investors to attract them to the State.

When other Chief Ministers are attending the WEF meet in Davos and making use of the opportunity to bring investments to their respective States, the Chief Minister of Karnataka is only blaming the Centre for doing injustice to the State, Mr. Vijayendra said.

He accused Mr. Siddaramaiah of showing a lack of concern for the development of Karnataka.

With regard to the special legislature session convened to oppose the Centre’s new rural employment guarantee scheme which replaced MGNREGA — Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) — he said the Chief Minister is only trying to play politics by convening the legislature session after sending Mr. Shivakumar, who is vying for the Chief Minister’s post, to Davos.

Mr. Vijayendra added that however, Mr. Shivakumar realised Mr. Siddaramaiah’s “political ploy” and cancelled his Davos trip.

If Mr. Siddaramaiah is so keen on holding a discussion on MGNREGA, the same can be deliberated during the Budget session, which could be called next month, the BJP leader said.

‘Goonda culture’

He also referred to the incident in which a woman official was threatened by a Congress worker in Varuna Assembly constituency in Mysuru and criticised the “goonda” culture in the Congress.

He asaid the Chief Minister had tried to slap a senior police official and insulted a Deputy Commissioner on the stage at a function. He also cited the incident in Sidlaghatta, where a woman official was abused by a Congress worker, and said it was “Congress and Siddaramaiah’s culture”.