Without graft how can we pay voters?: Congress MLA
Corruption inevitable in government, says Periyapatna legislator Venkatesh.
Mysuru: In an embarrassment for the Congress, its MLA, K. Venkatesh virtually admitted on Saturday that corruption was inevitable in government.
Responding to the charge that the Congress government in the state was corrupt, the Periyapatna MLA said candidly, “When we come to seek votes during elections people ask for money. If we don’t indulge in corruption how can we get the money?” His comment assumes significance in the backdrop of allegations that the Congress had received kickbacks in the steel flyover project in Bengaluru. Interestingly, Mr Venkatesh heads the BDA, which has commissioned the flyover.
The MLA was addressing a crowd in Muththina Mulusoge village of Harnalli hobli in Periyapatna taluk, Mysuru district. His candid confession came in response to a Congress worker, M.B. Shivakumar's observation that villagers were accusing his party leaders of being corrupt. But the minute Mr Venkatesh realised the proceedings were being recorded by an electronic media reporter,he strongly objected, asking him to stop.
Later, he went on to say that the CM and several ministers planned to come to Muththina Mulusoge in March to launch a project to lift water from the Cauvery to lakes in Periyapatna taluk. “Villagers should take responsibility and ensure that the programme is a grand success,” he added.