Karnataka CM Accused of Involvement in Valmiki Development Corporation Scam

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of involvement in the Valmiki Development Corporation scam. She demands his resignation pending a CBI probe. Allegedly, Rs 187 crore was transferred illegally and used in Telangana elections.

Union Minister and BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje has leveled serious allegations against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of involvement in the Valmiki Development Corporation scam and demanding his immediate resignation on Wednesday.

Karandlaje stated, 'On July 3, I wrote to the Union Home Minister, seeking a CBI probe into this matter. While the CBI investigation is underway, the Karnataka government formed an SIT to obscure the scam. The SIT is obstructing the CBI, but raids are ongoing, with Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducting searches in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Bellary. We demand Siddaramaiah’s resignation as he is implicated in this scam. Only then will justice be served.'

She further alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with former Karnataka minister B Nagendra, was involved in the case. 'Siddaramaiah, being the Finance Minister, must have given instructions for the transfer of Rs 187 crore to various companies,' she claimed.

The Union Minister also accused the scam's funds of being used to finance the Telangana elections. 'The Valmiki Development Corporation was created to assist backward classes, yet a scam of Rs 187 crore has occurred. An officer who exposed this scam in a letter later committed suicide. This money was coerced to be transferred to various companies and was allegedly diverted to the Telangana elections,' she added.

On Wednesday morning, ED officials raided the residences of former Karnataka minister B Nagendra and Congress MLA Basanagouda Daddal in connection with the scam.