Karnataka
Karnataka Congress leaders detained over 'PayCM' poster campaign in Bengaluru
Bengaluru/IBNS: Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar and several other leaders of the party were detained in Bengaluru Friday in connection with the 'PayCM' campaign targeting Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
The list also includes BK Hariprasad, Priyank Khadge, Randeep Singh Surjewala and other leaders.
The campaign was held targeting leaders of the ruling BJP who according to the Congress allegedly extracted 40 per cent commission from builders, contractors and others.
The claims have triggered a huge political storm in the state ahead of next year's assembly elections.
Earlier this week, posters resembling the design of the e-wallet Paytm, and carrying the image of Bommai on the QR code with the message "40% accepted here" surfaced across Bengaluru.
On scanning, the QR code directs one to a website -- '40% Sarkara' -- accusing the Bommai-led BJP government was charging 40 per cent commission on public works. The website was launched a few days ago by Congress.
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there will be no let-up in the campaign. "The campaign will continue across the state," he told reporters this evening.
Calling the campaign an "evil design" Bommai earlier said, "They have given no evidence".
"It is all politically motivated. I have challenged them to produce proof. During their (Congress) tenure, there were many scams that should be looked into," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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