No proposal to change Karnataka CM, says Pralhad Joshi

He says no one should talk about change of leadership

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi. FIle

“There is no proposal before the BJP to change the Chief Minister of Karnataka,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said in Hubballi on Sunday.

He was responding to the recent statement by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K.S. Eshwarappa that Murugesh Nirani would “become the CM one day”.

“There is no proposal before the party now. I am saying this as a representative of the Central Government. CM will not change. Basavaraj Bommai will remain the CM. But then no one should talk about change of leadership,” he said.

Mr. Joshi said the meeting of JD(S) national president and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no political significance. “I believe it was about Mr. Gowda’s demand for an IIT in Hassan. I don’t think it was about the possibility of an electoral alliance between the BJP and the JD(S),” he said.

He said the allegations made by the contractors’ association of increased corruption in government contracts were false and baseless.

“Allegations of a 40% commission in contracts is baseless. There is no tolerance for corruption in the Modi government. If the contractors have any proof, they should approach the Lokayukta or the ACB,” he said.

Mr. Joshi alleged that all earlier governments were corrupt and Ministers were collecting 10% commission from all civil works.