Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that there was a scam in the process of allotment of tenders for construction of 50,000 houses for the poor, at a cost of Rs. 2,500 crore, by the Karnataka Slum Development Board, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Addressing a press conference here, Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses, Jagadish Shettar and K.S. Eshwarappa, alleged that the board was in the process of awarding tenders to 10 contractors, who had earlier been charged with being ineligible, by flouting various norms.

Pointing out that the earlier award of contracts to these persons had been cancelled and a technical committee had been formed to look into the alleged violation of norms after Devaraj, board chairman, had raised objections, the BJP leaders alleged that the board was in the process of issuing fresh tenders to them even before the committee took a stand on the issue.

They alleged that Housing Minister M. Krishnappa and Devaraj were involved in the alleged violation of norms in the process of fresh tenders and demanded the resignation of Krishnappa, besides seeking a CBI probe.

Eshwarappa also sought an explanation in this regard from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.