‘Political vendetta’: Covid-19 spending report sparks war of words between BJP and Congress in Karnataka

The Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission of Inquiry probing irregularities in Covid-19 expenditure during the BJP government in Karnataka has submitted its first report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reportedly recommending criminal action against those involved in the embezzlement. A day after the report was submitted, the Karnataka government has expressed its intention to respond to the report.

“We will look at the report and decide what needs to be done. The commissions will be formed to ensure that they tell the truth. Once the commission report is out, action will have to be taken. We will have to see whether we need to take all the measures or leave out a few,” said Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara.

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

“They should have done something. Now you have made them issue a report in a hurry and are threatening to expose us. What is taking so long? Go ahead and expose us. You cannot silence the BJP by threatening to expose anyone,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

Sudhakar, who was health minister during the pandemic, accused the chief minister's advisers of political vendetta. “I believe the commission's report is truthful. In politics, they have targeted everyone, they are showing their political bankruptcy. We have not indulged in political vendetta. Neither Bommai nor BS Yediyurappa did that. 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, chaired by Justice Cunha, was set up in August last year to investigate allegations of irregularities in the procurement of medicines, protective suits and equipment during the pandemic and was tasked with examining expenditure amounting to Rs 7,223 crore.