Bengaluru, June 13 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Saturday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in a solid waste management tender, accusing the state government of being involved in a major corruption scandal.

In a statement, Ashoka took aim at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that the government was avoiding a thorough investigation into the matter. He dubbed the CM as the “Chief Commission Minister”.

Referring to the Chief Minister’s assertion that he was ready to face any inquiry, Ashoka challenged him to transfer the case to the CBI if he was confident that neither he nor his government had any role in the alleged irregularities.

“Instead of making statements before the media, the Chief Minister should demonstrate his commitment to transparency by ordering a CBI investigation into the alleged scam,” Ashoka said.

The BJP leader alleged that a large-scale corruption racket had taken place under the guise of a solid waste disposal tender and claimed that the truth would emerge only through an independent investigation.

Ashoka said he would personally file a complaint regarding the alleged irregularities and urged the government to order a comprehensive probe into the matter.

He further alleged that commissions had been collected in connection with the tender process and demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

“The people of Karnataka deserve to know the truth behind the alleged corruption and the real face of this government,” the BJP leader said.

R. Ashoka on Friday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accusing the Congress government of corruption, lack of transparency, and shielding those allegedly involved in the Bengaluru garbage tender controversy.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday alleged that the about Rs 39,000-crore solid waste management tender was a major irregularity and one of the biggest scams Karnataka had ever witnessed.

Responding to the first major allegation of Rs 10,000 crore kickbacks in Bengaluru’s waste management tender after taking charge, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday hit back at senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, accusing him of acting as an “agent of the garbage mafia” and indulging in politics driven by jealousy.

–IANS

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