The BJP’s Karnataka chief B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday rubbished as “atrocious and malicious” the allegation that he had paid ₹1,800 crore as bribe to the party top brass, after the Congress demanded a Lokpal probe into the issue.
The allegation has been already inquired into by the Income Tax department and it has been found that documents are “fake”, the former Karnataka Chief Minister claimed, terming it as a “closed chapter”. He accused the Congress of raising the issue as it was “frustrated” over its “imminent defeat” in Lok Sabha polls.
“To be frank all the issues being raised by Congress including one raised by them today about alleged payment of crores of rupees has been already inquired and it was found that documents are fake,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said in a statement.
He said the Income Tax department officials found that the documents, signatures and handwritten notes were forged.
“Congress leaders who are apt in carrying out all these atrocious and malicious campaigns have planted this story in the media to gain political mileage in the coming elections,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.
“Above all issues raised by Congress leaders are irrelevant and false. The issue is a closed chapter,” he added.
Citing a media report, the Congress on Friday sought an investigation by the Lokpal into allegation that bribes of ₹1800 crore were paid by Mr. Yeddyurappa to the BJP’s top brass.
Accusing the Congress and its leaders of being bankrupt of issues and ideas, Mr. Yeddyurappa said, “They don’t have any development issues to discuss in public.
“Congress leaders are frustrated with the growing popularity of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and BJP. They have realized that their defeat in the 2019 elections is imminent. They have lost the battle before it begun.”
