Mysuru: Taking umbrage to Chief Minister Siddharamaiah’s constant barbs about BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa going to jail in corruption case, BJP leader and Backward Caste Morcha President B.J. Puttaswamy has asked Siddharamaiah to first understand the law before making baseless allegations.

“Siddharamaiah must know the law before he speaks,” Puttaswamy, who is also a former Minister, said. He was in Mysuru yesterday as part of the BJP Parivartana Rally to be held today and he addressed a press conference at a private hotel.

“Siddharamaiah was a practicing advocate before he plunged into politics and unfortunately he is unaware of law. It is due to conspiracy hatched by rivals that Yeddyurappa was kept in the jail. The corruption cases against him have been dismissed by the Karnataka High Court and Supreme Court. Doesn’t Siddharamaiah know about this,” Puttaswamy questioned.

“Years ago, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was kept in prison on corruption charges. Later, the charges were dismissed by Courts. Do we say Indira Gandhi was jailed for corruption,” he asked.

Hitting hard at Siddharamaiah, Puttaswamy said that over 74 cases have been registered against Siddharamaiah by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Unfortunately, it is Siddharamaiah (as CM) controls the ACB that selectively registers cases. Siddharamaiah has weakened and neutralised the Lokayukta as he feared arrest,”  Puttaswamy charged.

On CM contesting from Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency, Puttaswamy said, “Siddharamaiah will not win in Chamundeshwari. BJP will come to power in a few months and Siddharamaiah will have to face the law. He will be held accountable for his corrupt actions and will have to defend himself in the Court of law,”    Puttaswamy predicted.

Corporator B.M. Nataraj, BJP’s Mysuru unit leaders B.K. Manjunath, Venkataramanappa, Papanna, Puttabasavaiah and Prashuramappa were present at the press conference.