Rs 28,000-cr power scam: Not a single rupee was misused during Shobha’s tenure, claims BSY

Hubballi, Oct 29: Former chief minister and BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has categorically denied the involvement of his confidante Shobha Karandlaje in the reported power purchase scam during the saffron rule in Karnataka.

A House committee headed by the incumbent Energy Minister D K Shivakumar is readying a report, which purportedly has details about the scam that cost the state exchequer Rs 28,000 crore.

Terming the allegation about irregularities in the purchase of power during the BJP government in the State baseless, Yeddyurappa sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation which is controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

“Not a single rupee was misused in the purchase of power when Shobha Karandlaje was the energy minister,” he claimed and added that the BJP was ready to discuss the issue in the legislature session.

“There was a plan to enter into a contract for purchasing power for 25 years. As it would have affected the state’s initiatives for generating more power, Shobha Karandlaje decided to purchase power based at the rate prevailing on the day” Yeddyurappa said.

Many leaders from other parties are ready to join the BJP and some MLAs are in contact with us. They will join the BJP after a month. They can be accommodated in those constituencies where the BJP lacks suitable candidates,” he noted.