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The political landscape in Karnataka is heating up as allegations of corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to surface. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, has accused the BJP government of profiting during the pandemic while people lost their lives due to the government's alleged apathy. He cites a report by Justice John Michael D’Cunha, which highlights irregularities in the import of 3 lakh PPE kits from Chinese firms during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. The report recommends criminal prosecution of the then Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa and the then Health Minister B. Sriramulu for these alleged irregularities.
Kharge specifically questions why local suppliers were overlooked in favor of imports from China. He also challenges Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding clarification on how a state Chief Minister could obtain approval for such imports without the Central Government's consent. He alleges a clear case of quid pro quo, implying that the BJP government may have benefited financially from this procurement process. Kharge's accusations escalate the tension between the BJP and the opposition, further polarizing the political scene in Karnataka.
Kharge's pronouncements do not stop there. He declares that this instance is just “the tip of the iceberg” and promises to “expose the complete #CoronaCorruption saga of the BJP.” This pledge suggests that further revelations about alleged corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be brought to light. The ongoing saga serves as a reminder of the political complexities surrounding the pandemic response, with accusations of corruption and profiteering adding another layer to the already challenging situation.