New Delhi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah found himself at the centre of controversy on Thursday, over his undated video circulating on social media. In the purported video clip now viral on internet, senior Congress leader reportedly asks party functionaries & workers to provide Rs 500 to people for gathering crowd at rallies.
The viral video clip is said to be from Belagavi, where the former Karnataka chief Minister was chalking out party’s preparations for upcoming rallies & roadshows. The state is heading to polls in just a couple of months and the electioneering has already picked up pace. The tenure of current Karnataka Assembly ends in May 2023 and a new elected government must take charge by that time.
In the purported video, the Congress veteran is seen instructing other leaders to provide Rs 500 to people so that big gatherings could be assured. Newsroompost cannot vouch for the authenticity of this viral video clip.
ದುಡ್ಡು ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಜನರನ್ನು ಕರೆದು ತರುವುದು, ಅವರಿಗೆಲ್ಲ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು. ಆ ಕಡೆ ಅದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಈ ಕಡೆ ಇದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಕಥೆ ಈಗ ಮುಂಡಾಸು ಇಲ್ಲದಿರೋ ಮದುಮಗನ ಥರ ಆಗಿದೆ.#CorruptCongress pic.twitter.com/aHp6ISBADG
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 1, 2023
According to a portal, those seen in the video are Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Satish Jarkiholi & Belagavi Rural MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar.
While they are discussing about crowd management, Siddaramaiah reportedly says, “As there are elections even they (BJP) will gather the crowd. Give Rs 500 to everyone and gather the crowd,”
The BJP on its Twitter handle also uploaded a video of Siddaramaiah, mocking him and the Congress party for ‘fake promises’.
Siddaramaiah was in Belagvi yesterday to campaign for 3 Congress candidates. He is also touring North Karnataka as part of ‘Praja Dhwani Yatre.’
Video to spark BJP-Cong tussle ahead of polls
Meanwhile, the state is heating up for Assembly elections slated this year. BJP will see to retain power in the state while Congress would look to counter the ruling party on back of anti-incumbency against Basavaraj Bommai-led government in the state.
The viral clip is likely to intensify bitter barb exchange between Congress & BJP over latter’s alleged abuse of state machinery for own interests & furthering its election agenda.
