Bengaluru, July 7 (IANS) The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) General Body meeting, held on Tuesday at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru under the chairmanship of KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad, passed five resolutions, including a demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged theft of funds and valuables from the Ram Mandir Trust and a call for a Rs 10,000 crore special package from the Centre to tackle the drought situation in Karnataka.
In a resolution on the Ram Mandir controversy, the KPCC alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government had constituted the 11-member Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and that the Trust had received donations worth tens of thousands of crores of rupees from the public and governments.
The resolution alleged that the Trust had failed to maintain proper accounts for the management of funds and claimed that some trustees and staff members had systematically misappropriated cash, gold, silver, and diamonds worth thousands of crores of rupees. It further alleged that while staff members had been arrested, those responsible for the alleged irregularities were being shielded.
Demanding a thorough investigation, the KPCC urged the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify all those involved and punish the guilty. It further demanded that the entire episode be investigated by the CBI, stating that the alleged scam had shocked the nation and hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.
The resolution also alleged that the controversy had brought disrepute to Lord Sri Ram, who is revered by crores of people across the country, and had tarnished India’s cultural and religious heritage.
Holding the Union government morally responsible, the KPCC demanded the resignation of PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In another resolution, the KPCC urged the Central government to release a special package of Rs 10,000 crore to help Karnataka combat the worsening drought situation.
The resolution stated that deficient rainfall and the failure of the monsoon had severely affected Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka and the central and southern parts of the state.
Reservoirs have dried up, farmers have been unable to sow, and drinking water shortages have emerged in several villages, affecting both people and livestock. It further stated that rising unemployment had forced many people to migrate in search of livelihoods.
The KPCC said the situation required immediate intervention and urged the Centre to extend financial assistance by sanctioning the special package.
The remaining resolutions congratulated AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on his election to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka and his appointment as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
The party also congratulated former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his appointment as a member of the Congress Working Committee, B.K. Hariprasad on assuming charge as KPCC President, and D.K. Shivakumar on becoming the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
The resolutions also expressed gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, LoP Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal for the appointments and the confidence reposed in the state leadership.
The meeting was attended by AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala; Congress Working Committee member and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah; former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily; KPCC Working Presidents G.C. Chandrashekar, Vasanth Kumar, and Manjunath Bhandary; KPCC Campaign Committee Chairman Vinay Kumar Sorake; AICC Secretaries Abhishek Dutt and Gopinath Palaniappan; Ministers Ramalinga Reddy, Krishna Byre Gowda, and Satish Jarkiholi; Chief Whip of the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed; former KPCC President R.V. Deshpande; MLAs; and other party leaders and office-bearers.
–IANS
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