Siddaramaiah urges BJP top leaders to break their silence on ‘waqf bribery’ charge

Sat Dec 14 16:24:57 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka CM Accuses BJP Leader of Bribery in Waqf Property Case

**Bengaluru, December 14, 2024** – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra of attempting to bribe former Karnataka State Minorities Commission chairperson Anwar Manippady with ₹150 crore. This follows a similar allegation made by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge the previous day.

According to CM Siddaramaiah, Manippady publicly claimed that Vijayendra, during B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure as Chief Minister, offered the bribe to suppress a report on waqf property encroachments. Manippady reportedly refused the bribe and informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP president.

Siddaramaiah questioned Prime Minister Modi’s silence on the allegations, suggesting it raises suspicions about the BJP’s intentions. He linked this incident to other alleged scandals involving the BJP in Karnataka, calling for an investigation into the “waqf property loot” and accusing the BJP of diverting attention from these allegations with “baseless accusations” against Congress leaders. He demanded that the Prime Minister address the serious bribery claims.