Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 3: Karnataka Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT, Priyank Kharge, on Monday, questioned why the BJP central leadership had remained silent following a Mumbai special court's order for an FIR to be filed against former SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five other officials, in connection with an alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations.
A special court in Mumbai had directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the matter, citing prima facie evidence of regulatory lapses and possible collusion among the officials. However, both SEBI and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Kharge questioned, “Former SEBI officials have been implicated by a Mumbai court. What does Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have to say about this order?”
Kharge continued, “Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has repeatedly raised concerns about SEBI and the irregularities committed by its chief. What does she have to say for herself? Why is the BJP leadership so quiet?”
Emphasising the significance of the issue, the Minister added, “This is not a small scam. The middle and lower-middle-class income groups have invested in the stock market. If the market is being manipulated and SEBI turns into a corrupt organisation, who will be held accountable?”
Kharge further claimed that the Congress party had consistently pointed out that the former SEBI chief was guilty, tainted, and corrupt, providing evidence to support this. “Yet, they refused to address it on the floor of the House. Today, it has been proven. What does the Union Finance Minister have to say now? Is this how they play with the earnings of middle-income groups?” he questioned.
Kharge also responded to the BJP's protests against the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing them of insulting the Governor. He remarked, “Instead of trying to protect the Governor or his office, the BJP should first protest against the central government for repeatedly insulting Karnataka and its people.”
He highlighted several issues, including the improper devolution of taxes, the dwindling share of funds for Karnataka, and the imposition of policies like the three-language policy and the National Education Policy (NEP) on southern states. “If the BJP leaders have any shame left, they should protest against the central government,” Kharge added.
Regarding the allegations that the Congress government had misused funds allocated for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), Kharge challenged the BJP to specify which rules under the SCP and TSP had been violated. He said, “There are three ways to utilise SCP and TSP funds — through rules 7A, 7B, and 7C. I challenge the BJP to openly state which of these rules have been violated.”
Kharge also pointed out that during the BJP’s tenure, Rule 7D was misused, which, as admitted by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, resulted in nearly a Rs 10,000 crore loss. “We will answer everything on the floor of the House. Why is the BJP in such a hurry to get embarrassed?” Kharge remarked.
The ongoing political battle in Karnataka continues to intensify as the Congress and BJP engage in a war of words over various issues related to governance, accountability, and the state's future.