In the run-up to 2014 elections, Congress’ appeasement politics has gone beyond any imagination with Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara saying that the minority need not repay loans and can cheat the Government.
For Parameshwara, defaulting on loan payments by the minorities is a process of development. Addressing a minority conclave in Bangalore, Parameshwara said, “Many big industries indulge in fraud and cheat the Government of crores of rupees by not repaying loans, there is nothing wrong if you people don’t repay loans.”
G Parameshwara also said, “The Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, instead of giving small loans, should sanction huge amounts like `50 lakh. Never mind if the beneficiaries don’t repay the loans. Topi hakidre parvagilla (no issues if they cheat). Many people and officials have duped Government agencies of several thousands of crores of rupees. It's part of the development process.”
Parameshwara also said he would ask the Chief Minister to expedite the process of setting up fast-track courts to dispose of cases against Muslim youth. He called upon the Muslims to use the Friday prayer congregations to discuss the community's development.
Meanwhile Parameshwara said his statement was "taken out context". He said "I was referring to huge pending loans that Government and banks are not worried about recovering while they chase the common man for not repaying even small loans."
The Opposition BJP was quick to taken on Parameshwara and termed the statement as an effort to woo minorities keeping in view of the 2014 elections. BJP state president Prahlad Joshi alleged that this was another attempt to dupe minorities by the Congress. He said, "There is nothing surprising in this statement, and Parameshwara has made the party's intentions clear."
Former Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Party president BS Yeddyurappa said, "Such statements will definitely have a bearing on the administration."