CM is using caste issues to distract from graft: MLC

Mangaluru: MLC Prathap Simha Nayak accused chief minister Siddaramaiah of using caste sentiments to distract the public from corruption allegations and protect his position. He claimed that the state govt is embroiled in one scam after another, and Siddaramaiah, who often speaks of secularism and social justice, is exploiting caste issues to divert attention from the Muda scam.
Nayak criticised the allotment of five acres of land to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust, run by the family of Congress national president Mallikarjuna Kharge, calling it a misuse of power and a display of greed. Nayak told reporters on Wednesday, that Kharge, who positions himself as a champion of Dalits, should focus on the uplift of Dalit families instead.
He alleged that the govt has become inactive, with development works and pro-people programmes coming to a halt. Nayak accused the administration of neglecting the needs of the public and failing to address the concerns of the people.
Nayak also highlighted the govt’s failure to provide relief to farmers affected by drought and floods, and criticised the poor law and order situation in the state, citing 340 reported rape cases in the state over the past seven months. He added that the promise to increase the honorarium for anganwadi workers during the assembly elections has not been fulfilled, and workers have not received payments for the past three months.
Due to the burden of guarantee schemes, Nayak claimed the state’s financial health is deteriorating, with unpaid water bills amounting to Rs 110 crore and Rs 4,500 crore pending reimbursement to KSRTC. He also noted that the promise to allocate Rs 500 crore annually for the Narayana Guru Development Corporation has not been met.
Nayak criticised the creation of the Guarantee Scheme Implementation Authority, alleging it is a waste of taxpayers’ money. He pointed out that cabinet rank and salaries are given to the authority’s president and vice-president, while district-level officials receive payments for attending meetings, turning the authority into a platform for Congress workers.