₹100 cr. offer claim is only a ploy to divert attention from MUDA, Valmiki scams, says Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi dismisses ₹100 crore allegation as diversion tactic from government corruption, threatens defamation case.

“The allegation of ₹100 crore being offered to MLAs to change sides is nothing but a ploy to divert the attention of the public from the MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams,” Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has said.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Monday, Mr. Joshi said that in order to cover up the rampant corruption in the Congress government, such childish allegations are being made.

Warning MLA Ravi Ganig that the Congress will only make him a scapegoat for making the allegation, Mr. Joshi said that he will file a defamation case against him for making such an allegation.

“He has said that ₹100 crore has been offered to Congress MLAs. Nothing will happen by taking one or two MLAs. We have 66 MLAs and two of them have betrayed the party. For the purchase of the required MLAs ₹6,600 crore is required. There should be a limit to making such foolish statement. It is nothing but a ploy to divert public attention from government corruption,” he said.

Mr. Joshi said that there are some leaders in the BJP too who have made childish comments and they have been told not issue such statement.

“Our party stand is that they should complete their term. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are fighting each other. It is left to the Congress to allow Mr. Siddaramaiah to continue in the post or not,” he said.

The Union Minister said that there are a lot of issues, including lack of funds for development works, against which the Congress MLAs are themselves upset.