Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 18 : Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashok, on Saturday criticised the Congress government, accusing it of "bankrupting" the state and squeezing resources to serve its "political game."
R Ashok's remarks came after the Karnataka State Contractors Association threatened to go on strike over pending bills worth Rs 3,300 crore.
In a post on X, R Ashok said, "Mr. @RahulGandhi, is this your so-called "Karnataka Model"? Under the corrupt and exploitative #ATMSarkara, Karnataka has gone bankrupt. Contractors are demanding ₹33,000 CRORE in unpaid dues from eight government departments! From irrigation to housing, from PWD to labour - every department is choking because CM @siddaramaiah and DCM @DKShivakumar have squeezed the state coffers dry to save their chairs and fund their political games."
R Ashok highlighted the state government's "arrogance and silence" over several pressing issues and stated that the Congress government is for "collection, commission, and corruption.
"When contractors beg for payment, the government says - "Go to court." When citizens cry about crumbling infrastructure, they respond with arrogance and silence. When business leaders speak up, they are threatened, intimidated, and insulted. And when the State collapses, they'll again blame someone else! What more proof does Karnataka need that this is not a government of the people, but a government for collection, commission, and corruption?" he said.
He also questioned whether the CM is offering a share to the top leadership of Congress.
"How much percentage of commission have you demanded now for clearing contractors' bills? What is the share of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in this? Do Randeep Surjewala and KC Venugopal, the high command's agents, also get a share?"
Your Congress Karnataka government should be ashamed. You have made the government bankrupt -- unable to pay contractors' bills. And for the few bills that are cleared, you demand up to 80% commission. Because of your government's shameless corruption and greed for commission, all development works in the state have completely come to a halt," he added.
He further demanded the resignation of the CM. "How much longer will this hypocritical rule continue, sir? Resign and save whatever little dignity you have left," he said.