Karnataka Congress Gears Up Against BJP Amid Alleged Covid-19 Scam Revelations

The Congress government in Karnataka is preparing to counterattack the BJP over alleged Covid-19 irregularities during the previous administration. A commission led by retired judge John Michael D'Cunha will submit its report to CM Siddaramaiah, revealing significant misappropriations during the BJP rule.

The Congress government in Karnataka is preparing to retaliate against the BJP, which has embroiled the Siddaramiah administration in controversies surrounding the MUDA and Valmiki scams. A commission of inquiry, led by retired High Court judge John Michael D'Cunha, has completed its investigation into the alleged Covid-19 irregularities during the BJP's tenure and will submit its findings to CM Siddaramaiah on Sunday afternoon.

The commission has looked into the alleged mismanagement of funds within the Health Department and Medical Education Department under the previous BJP administration. It was reported that during the pandemic, the BJP government procured medicine and medical equipment under suspicious circumstances, leading to accusations of illegality in the accounting committee's report.

Notably, BJP MLA and former Union Minister Basan Gowda Patil Yatnal had accused his party of misappropriating thousands of crores in the management of Covid-19 resources. The commission has investigated the procurement of medicines, equipment, and other essential materials, the administration of oxygen supplies, and deaths resulting from oxygen shortages.

At the time, CM Siddaramaiah, then Leader of the Opposition, had called for a commission of inquiry led by a retired High Court judge to probe the alleged Covid corruption but was met with resistance from the BJP government. After the Congress came to power, they established an inquiry commission headed by Judge John Michael D'Cunha.

Sources indicate the Congress government plans to leverage the upcoming report to hold accountable those implicated, including BJP ministers and officials. On Saturday, the state Congress unit staged a protest march titled 'Raj Bhavan Chalo,' from Vidhansouda Gandhi Statue to Raj Bhavan, condemning the Governor's decision to sanction prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah.

"The Governor's office has been misused to destabilize the Congress government in the state. Doing this is wrong. A governor should not work against the law, he should work in favour of the law. Also, the constitution should be protected. The office of the Governor should be a name for equality. So, our struggle for the survival of democracy and constitution is continuous," said Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at the protest.

(With inputs from agencies.)