Siddu govt collecting crores in bribes at checkposts for Poll fund, Kumaraswamy

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Nov 12, 2017 (DC): Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D. Kumaraswamy claimed on Saturday that the state government was using rowdies to extort nearly Rs 200 crore a month from tourists at check -posts along Karnataka’s borders to help the Congress party fund the coming assembly elections.

“This Rs 1,000  crore business is being carried out to raise funds for the assembly polls. If the government does not stop this extortion we will lay siege to these check posts and close them down,” he warned.

While  many states had closed their  check posts after the Centre introduced the uniform Goods and Services Tax,  Karnataka did no such thing, he observed. “On the contrary four rowdies have been posted at every check post to collect money from vehicles arriving from other states,” he alleged, adding that the transport minister did not take any action although the practice was brought to his notice.

“We can’t sit quiet. We will take action. We warn the government to immediately curb this menace. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah  always poses like an honest politician but after seeing this extortion, one has to say he is fake. He speaks about honesty, but wears shoes costing Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000,” he charged.  Mr Kumaraswamy also claimed that many BJP MLAs, who were upset with the party, were in touch with him.

The JD(S) leader  announced that he would launch several initiatives including an exclusive app to make use of social media in the run-up to the 2018 poll.