Karnataka number one in corruption, says Siddaramaiah’s economic advisor; BJP reacts

he demand for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation has intensified

In a startling revelation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy said that the state is “number one” in corruption.

“Irrespective of who is in power, corruption is widespread. In corruption, Karnataka is number one,” the Yelburga MLA said, speaking at an interaction organised by the Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee in Koppal on Tuesday.

According to him, development works in the state have suffered due to corruption.  “In the past, government buildings that used to last for five to six decades are now collapsing in just 10 years,” he said.

Rayareddy said that corruption was more rampant in the Kalyana Karnataka region than in other parts of the state.  He said in the past, government buildings used to last for five to six decades. But now they are collapsing within just ten years.

“How can regional imbalances be addressed when there is large-scale corruption. Officials behave the same way as the elected representatives under whom they work. Even if the chief minister says otherwise, my opinion on corruption will not change,” he said.

State BJP president B Y Vijayendra also slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government, alleging that “corruption and looting” have become deeply ingrained in its functioning.

"Respected Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, your Economic Advisor and MLA, Basavaraj Rayareddy, has himself openly revealed that corruption and looting are integral part of the Karnataka government. He has exposed the dark face of this government’s corruption and highlighted how the dignity of the state has been compromised under your leadership. He has clearly revealed how Karnataka, under your administration, has become synonymous with corruption on the national stage, bringing shame to the state at the international level,” Vijayendra reportedly said.

According to Deccan Herald, to study the 22-year-old Dr D M Nanjundappa report, the state government has constituted the Karnataka Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee under the chairmanship of noted economist Prof M Govind Rao. Rayareddy urged the committee’s member-secretary Vishal R to include his statement on corruption, along with his name, in the committee’s recommendations.