Opposition leader R. Ashoka says 40 percent commission charge against BJP Government was Congress’ ‘toolkit’

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader R. Ashoka has challenged the Siddaramaiah-led Congress Government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of collecting Rs. 700 crore from the Excise Department.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, Ashoka urged the Government to investigate the charges brought forward by the State Excise Merchants Association. He claimed that the Congress party’s earlier accusations of a 40 percent commission against the BJP Government were proven false by the Lokayukta report.

“The Congress party misled the public with its 40 percent commission charge against the BJP. Now, Siddaramaiah’s administration has become 100 percent corrupt, with evidence surfacing of multiple Ministers looting funds during the last 18 months of Congress rule,”   Ashoka stated.

The BJP leader criticised the Chief Minister’s assertion of maintaining an unblemished record over his 40-year political career, describing it as a  “clean open book.” He added, “Every page of this book is marked with black stains, which is truly unfortunate.”

Ashoka further clarified Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim of a Rs. 700 crore ‘loot’ from the excise lobby to fund the Congress party’s election campaign in Maharashtra. “This is not an allegation made by Modi, but by the State Excise Dealers Association,” Ashoka said, urging the Chief Minister to read the Association’s letter. “Modi merely reiterated the accusations mentioned in the letter; he did not make a direct charge,” he explained.

Ashoka highlighted that the allegation made by State Contractors Association Vice-President Ambikapathi regarding the 40 percent commission in BBMP contracts was disproved by the Lokayukta report, dismissing it as part of the Congress party’s political ‘toolkit’.

Ashoka also flayed the State Government’s inability to address key civic issues, such as filling potholes and managing  waste disposal.

He accused the administration of increasing taxes and prices, including those for milk, electricity, petrol, diesel, stamp duty and registration charges, while preparing to impose a cess on garbage collection.

He said that the withdrawal of all five Guarantees amounted to a ‘sixth guarantee,’ warning that the public would ensure the end of Siddaramaiah’s tenure.