Siddaramaiah attacks PM Modi: ‘You have no moral right to speak about corruption’
"The nation has watched for the past 11 years as your office has turned into a washing machine, cleaning the corruption stains of opposition leaders who join BJP," Karnataka CM said
PM Narendra Modi’s comments during an election rally in Haryana this week targeting Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for corruption has elicited a strong response from the latter.
In one of his first rallies in Haryana for the state Assembly elections, Modi referred to the alleged MUDA scam in Karnataka, saying, “Look at the condition of the Congress in Karnataka. The Karnataka CM is accused in a land scam. Yesterday, the Karnataka High Court said that the investigation orders are correct and investigation should be done. Congress is also involved in a scam in relation to funds meant for Dalits.”
Siddaramaiah’s response to ‘baseless allegations’
Siddaramaiah, in a strong response on his X (formerly Twitter), told the prime minister that he had “no moral right to speak about corruption”, and challenged him to a direct debate.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is accused by his own party leaders of auctioning off the Chief Minister's post for ₹2,500 crores, has no moral right to speak about corruption! Even after a BJP MLA openly accused his own party of selling the CM post, no action has been taken. Day after day, BJP MLAs are involved in corruption, yet Modi remains silent. What’s the reason for this silence, Mr. Modi? Are you complicit in this corruption?" he said.
He continued, "You lecture about corruption in your speeches, Mr. Modi. If you can show just one BJP leader in Karnataka without the stain of corruption, we will invite you to Karnataka and publicly honor you! You have inducted HD Kumaraswamy, who is facing a ₹100 crore illegal mining scam, into your cabinet without hesitation. Doesn't your conscience prickle when you accuse others of corruption? Why is the Honorable Governor turning a blind eye to Lokayukta's request for permission to prosecute in this scam? Who’s pressuring him, Mr. Modi?
"The nation has watched for the past 11 years as your office has turned into a washing machine, cleaning the corruption stains of opposition leaders who join BJP. Since 2014, more than 25 opposition leaders with corruption allegations have joined your party, and 23 of them have been cleared by central agencies. Isn’t this a miracle?"
Further, he said, "From Himanta Biswa Sarma to Suvendu Adhikari, HD Kumaraswamy, Ajit Pawar, Ashok Chavan, Narayan Rane, and the latest, Muniratna - how many corrupt leaders have you washed clean in your machine? Is this your idea of public service, Mr. Prime Minister?
"And who are the mysterious donors behind the electoral bonds filling your party’s coffers? How much did they give, and what did they get in return? The people see it all. Who paved the way for bank looters to flee the country during your tenure? How much wealth did Adani and Ambani amass while the poor saw their incomes shrink?
"Mr. Modi, I am glad to see you finally talking about corruption. The people of Karnataka have seen only the puppets dancing with false allegations against me. Now it is time for them to know the mastermind behind it all. Don't fire shots from afar, Mr. Modi. If you're ready for a direct debate, I am always ready."