KPCC seeks CBI probe into Ayodhya Ram temple donation ‘scam’

Bengaluru, Jul 7 (PTI) The KPCC general body meeting on Tuesday passed five resolutions, including one demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, holding them morally responsible for the alleged scam. Another resolution urged the central government to provide Karnataka with a special package of Rs 10,000 crore to manage drought conditions. The meeting adopted three congratulatory resolutions. One resolution congratulated AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on being re-elected to the Rajya Sabha and reappointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, while also thanking Sonia Gandhi. Another resolution congratulated former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for implementing several popular welfare schemes and promoting communal harmony. A third resolution congratulated D K Shivakumar on becoming the new CM. The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee general body meeting was attended by its president B K Hariprasad, Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretary in charge of the state Randeep Singh Surjewala, several ministers, senior party leaders and legislators, among others. “An SIT has been formed, but instead of investigating the Ram Mandir Trust members, employees have been targeted. This has tarnished the sanctity of Lord Ram. Members of the RSS and VHP are involved. This is a betrayal of the faith of the people of the country,” Hariprasad was quoted as saying in a statement. A controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that cash donations and valuable offerings made by devotees had been embezzled. Several donors and individuals claimed that costly articles, including a gold Ramcharitmanas, silver bricks and other precious gifts, were missing or had not been properly acknowledged, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute an SIT to probe the allegations. The SIT has arrested eight accused in connection with the alleged embezzlement of cash offerings. He said Karnataka was facing a severe rainfall deficit, leading to migration, crop losses and unemployment, and therefore deserved a special financial package from the Centre. Referring to the alleged NEET examination paper leak, the KPCC chief said the party was demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “The NEET question paper was leaked, and 22 students have died by suicide. The meeting passed a resolution demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. We will also submit a memorandum to the President seeking his dismissal,” he said. Hariprasad said: “To effectively counter communal forces in the state, we must understand their ideology. Therefore, former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and Veerappa Moily have suggested conducting training camps at the district and taluk levels.” Noting that the Congress government in the state was a secular one, he said caste considerations should not influence administrative matters such as the transfer of officials. He said suggestions had also been made to reorganise Block Congress Committees at the district level and to replace District Congress Committee presidents who had held office for more than 10 years. Hariprasad said that, in line with the 2024 AICC Working Committee resolution, organisational restructuring was under way in several states. Observers from other states will visit every block in Karnataka for seven days, assess the local political situation and recommend between two and six candidates. District Congress presidents will then be selected from among those recommended, he added. Pointing out that the Congress has 140 MLAs in the state and is already strong in their constituencies, the party president said one-day programmes would be organised in the remaining 84 constituencies where the party had been defeated. To improve coordination between the government and the party, both a Political Committee and an Implementation Committee would be set up, he said. Hariprasad urged the government to conduct local body elections as soon as possible. He suggested that party office-bearers and members who had held their positions for the past two years should step down to make way for new leadership. Alleging that the Constitution was being undermined, Hariprasad said: “It is our responsibility to protect it and uphold the sacrifices made by our forefathers. The Congress party will continue regardless of individuals, and we must continue to uphold secular values.” Hariprasad announced that another KPCC general body meeting would be held within the next three to six months, giving members another opportunity to offer suggestions. He noted that preparations were underway for the GBA elections scheduled in August and said such meetings helped strengthen the party by gathering members’ views, which would subsequently be implemented. PTI KSU SSK