Bengaluru, Dec 14 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has condemned the lodging of an FIR concerning the supposed Covid scam, asserting that it represents a political vendetta orchestrated by the Karnataka government.

The party has also remarked that it will not treat the FIR with seriousness.

Addressing journalists in New Delhi on Saturday, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar asserted that during the Congress administration, allegations of irregularities within the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the Valmiki tribal welfare authority surfaced.

“Misappropriation of funds amounting to hundreds of crores has been uncovered, and investigations have progressed to a point where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is compelled to consider resigning,” Shettar claimed.

“In an effort to counteract this and to engage in political vengeance against the former BJP government and its officials, including ministers, the FIR has been filed,” Shettar alleged, adding that the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission has yet to submit its comprehensive report, and the FIR was based solely on an interim report.

“The report can only be evaluated once the investigation concludes and the final report is released. The current action is purely driven by political revenge,” he reiterated.

When questioned about Congress leaders' assertions that hundreds of crores were embezzled during the Covid crisis by the previous BJP administration, Shettar declined to comment.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, previously the Leader of the Opposition, remained silent throughout this period. The filing of an FIR does not equate to proof of the allegations. An FIR is merely a first information report. There is no basis for taking this development seriously,” Shettar stated.

Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar clarified that the government is not engaging in political vengeance by filing an FIR concerning the alleged Covid scam.

Shivakumar mentioned, "The government established a commission led by High Court Justice John Michael D’Cunha, and actions were taken based on the panel's recommendations.”

“We are currently reviewing the recommendations, after which further actions will follow, all within the legal framework,” he added.

Sources indicated that the Congress government is preparing to pursue legal measures against significant BJP figures implicated in the Covid scam.

Previously, the Commission had indicated that B.S. Yediyurappa and then Health Ministers B. Sriramulu and K. Sudhakar allegedly engaged in extensive corruption and abuse of power during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government filed an FIR concerning this, naming officials at the Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru on Friday.

Additionally, the government is looking to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the investigation, as confirmed by sources.

The 10-page FIR outlines the involvement of five doctors, two government officials, a pharmaceutical company, and various industries, also mentioning the participation of politicians, although specific names were not disclosed.