BJP denounces Karnataka government over MLA’s bribery remark

The BJP has launched a bitter attack on the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in Karnataka over Sringeri’s Congress MLA TD Rajegowda’s remark: “I still pay money to get work done.”

“There is nothing left to prove that this is a government by the corrupt, for the corrupt,” the BJP said on X, and demanded Rajegowda’s sacking.

Speaking at a ‘Jana samparka’ programme n Sringeri taluk, the MLA targeted officials accused of seeking bribes.

“If the work is done within the time frame, then I pay. There is a difference between bribe and paying tips. People in Malnad are friendly and offer tips if their work is done on time,” he said.

The BJP reacted to Rajegowda’s statement saying the MLA had accepted that corruption existed in Karnataka.

“MLAs must also be bribed to work in this ATM Sarkara. This is Congress MLA Rajegowda himself… There is nothing left to prove that this is a government by the corrupt, for the corrupt.

“Since the Supreme Court has said that circumstantial evidence is enough to conclude bribery, Rajegowda should be sacked from the post of MLA immediately,” the BJP said.

MLA’s defence

The MLA later said his statements were in the context of asking officials not to harass people and not to collect bribes.

“If officials complete work immediately, then they will give tips with love,” he added.

(With agency inputs)