Karnataka: Didn’t know of it, CM Basavaraj Bommai says as journos get ‘CMO’ cash

BENGALURU: The Karnataka Congress on Friday demanded a judicial investigation into allegations that an official from the chief minister’s office (CMO) gave journalists bribes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh along with Deepavali sweet boxes.
Some of the dozen senior journalists who received the hampers confirmed that it had cash, which they returned to the CMO. The Janadhikara Sanghrasha Samithi has filed a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta accusing the CMO of attempting to bribe journalists.
The issue came to light after two editors wrote to CM Basavaraj Bommai expressing disapproval and condemnation over cash being distributed in sweet boxes. One editor found out when a journalist who received the money informed him. After receiving the letter, Bommai reportedly told the editor he was unaware that money was given to journalists. He said the hamper was delivered by a member of his staff. “Bommai had called after receiving the mail and apologised. He said he was unaware that cash was given,” sources said. Reports say a staffer overseeing the media section in the CMO had visited the offices of several print and electronic news organisations and distributed Deepavali hampers on Saturday and Sunday. Besides gift hampers, some were given envelopes containing between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh cash.
In a series of tweets, Congress asked: “Was the bribe given by misusing taxpayers’ money? Is this commission corruption money? What is the source of this money? How much bribe was paid and what have you received in return? We have not called CM Bommai ‘PayCM’ for no reason. This government accepts bribes and gives bribes. Is all this money through PayCM?”
The CM’s office did not respond to queries from TOI on the issue.