'Political Vendetta': Covid-19 Expenditure Report Triggers BJP vs Congress War of Words in Karnataka

The Justice John Michael D’Cunha inquiry commission, which is probing irregularities in Covid-19 expenditure during BJP rule in Karnataka, has submitted its first report to chief minister Siddaramaiah, reportedly recommending criminal action against those involved in misappropriation. A day after the report was submitted, the Karnataka government has expressed its intent to act on the report.

“We will look at the report and decide what needs to be done. The commissions are formed to ensure that they inform the truth. Once commission report is submitted, there has to be action. We will have to see if we need to take action completely or leave out a few acts,” said Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara.

The development has triggered a political slugfest in the state, with former health minister and current MP from Chikkaballapur Sudhakar terming it vendetta politics. The Congress has accused Sudhakar of orchestrating a multi-crore scam in Covid-19 procurement during his tenure as health minister. The BJP, meanwhile, called it a diversionary tactic to shift focus from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

“You should have taken action. Now you have got them to give a report in a hurry and are threatening that you will expose us. Why is it taking so long? Go ahead and expose us. You can’t silence BJP with this threat of exposing anyone,” said Union minister Pralhad Joshi.

Sudhakar, who was the health minister during the pandemic, accused the chief minister’s advisers of indulging in political vendetta. “I believe that the commission has given the report based on truth. In politics, they have targeted everyone, they are showing their political bankruptcy. We didn’t indulge in political vendetta. Neither Bommai nor BS Yediyurappa did it. If we had done the same, half of them would have gone to jail. They have set a new precedent. We will face this challenge,” he said.

The Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Cunha was formed in August last year to examine allegations of irregularities in the procurement of drugs, PPE suits and equipment during the pandemic and was tasked with examining expenditure to the tune of Rs 7,223 crore.