BBMP restructuring bill sails through legislature
Opposition leader quotes ‘sting’ by Kannada news channel on Vijayendra’s ‘hand’ in govt work
BENGALURU:
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday came down heavily against Congress party opposition leader Siddaramiah for the latter’s graft allegation against his son BY Vijayendra, challenging the former CM to either prove his charges or retire from politics.
During the no-confidence motion moved against the government, Siddaramaiah alleged that Vijayendra was involved in corruption according to a ‘sting operation’ by Kannada news channel ‘Power TV’ which had telecast several episodes on the issue. Siddaramaiah demanded an inquiry into the charges by a sitting Supreme Court judge.
CM denies son’s role
Yediyurappa strongly objected to the opposition leader’s accusation and claimed that Vijayendra was not involved in any state government activity.
The CM said he was ready to quit politics if the corruption charge made against his son was proved by Siddaramaiah, or else Siddaramaiah should resign his position.
“You are free to conduct any kind of enquiry. You can approach any court or even the Lok Ayukta. If the charges against my son are proved I will quit politics, or else you will have to resign your position,” Yediyurappa told the Congress leader.
Meanwhile, Law and Parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy and other BJP legislators demanded deletion of Vijayendra’s name from the house record as he is not a member of the legislative assembly and his name cannot be taken during the discussion on the no-trust motion.
‘No credibility’
Madhuswamy claimed that no sting operation has any kind of credibility, as the Supreme Court itself had earlier rejected a ‘sting’ conducted by another Kannada news channel against Congress leader DK Shivakumar.
Later, former Speaker and Congress legislator Ramesh Kumar suggested that Siddaramaiah not take any person’s name who is not a member of the house.
On Ramesh Kumar’s suggestion, Siddaramaiah said he would not take the names of people who are not members of the house and henceforth would refer to them as ‘X’ person and ‘Y’ person.
Channel’s charge
It may be recalled that Kannada TV channel ‘Power TV’ has aired several episodes alleging the involvement of the Chief Minister’s son Vijayendra in various government projects.
Vijayendra has denied the allegations and on September 20 issued a legal notice to the ‘Power TV’ management, seeking an apology within 7 days.
Being in public life is not easy. You refuse illegal demands & reject requests of News channel head and the channel turns vicious against you & your family members. I won’t take this lying down, Power TV. My first response – Criminal defamation – is on its way. More will follow. pic.twitter.com/4ZtjAOGSE6
— Vijayendra Yeddyurappa (@BYVijayendra) September 20, 2020
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