A special three-day session of the Karnataka Assembly beginning Wednesday, which the ruling BJP claims has been called to discuss agriculture and rural development, is expected to turn into a “scam unearthing session”. Both the sides are arming themselves with details of corruption and misrule by the other in anticipation of the focus shifting towards corruption from agriculture.

During the Budget Session in July, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had assured that a special session would be convened in September to discuss the nepotism of various governments that have ruled Karnataka. But, on August 31, BJP decided against classifying the special session as one to discuss scams, instead calling it a session to discuss the drought situation and the plight of farmers.

H D Revanna, the leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) in the Assembly, accused the BJP of trying to shy away from a debate on corruption. “We will always be happy to discuss agriculture and the rural sector, but let the government also pass a one-line resolution to hand over all scams that have occurred in the state, including those in the past 15 months, to an independent probe agency. Let the session also be extended beyond three days,” Revanna said on Tuesday. Leader of the Opposition and the Congress, Siddaramaiah, has also accused the BJP government of attempting to duck a debate on corruption.

The JDS leader, who was accused of stalling the Budget Session by revealing a series of alleged scams involving BJP ministers, has threatened to bring out another “string of scams” in the forthcoming session as well. He said there would be no need for a special session to discuss agriculture and rural development if the government implemented its programs. “It is known that you cannot call a session to discuss scams, but when you convene a session you must be ready to face the charges. The government has nothing to fear if it is pro-people,” the son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said.

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