Kheny's induction shows Congress' corrupt character: Javadekar

New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP’s in-charge for Karnataka Assembly polls Prakash Javadekar today said induction of businessman Ashok Kheny — the lone MLA of Karnataka Makkala Paksh — in the Congress proves the “corrupt character” of the grand old party.

Kheny is the Managing Director of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Limited (NICE), the implementing agency of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project that is facing allegations of irregularities.

The Bidar South MLA has been inducted even though Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said Kheny must be jailed, Javadekar told reporters outside Parliament.

This action of the Congress shows that it is nothing but a “Siddaruppaiya government” as described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent tour in the poll-bound state, he said.

“Yesterday, Kheny was inducted into the Congress. Till now, he was criticised left and right by the Congress. Siddaramaiah on record many times said Kheny must be jailed.

“Instead of jailing him, they have welcomed him in the Congress. This shows the Congress’ corrupt character and proves once again it is nothing but a ‘Siddaruppaiya government’,” Javadekar said.

He alleged that “goondaraj” was prevailing in the state with Congress MLAs and their kin displaying “arrogance of power”. “Therefore, people of Karnataka are eager to throw the anti-people, anti-poor, anti-farmers and corrupt government out of power with lock, stock and barrel,” he said.

Asserting that the political atmosphere has changed after BJP’s recent victory in northeastern states, Javadekar said, “BJP will win in Karnataka…We will achieve our target of 150 (seats).”