Karnataka Congress Faces Heat Over Bribery In Housing Scheme, Taluk Offices; BJP, JD(S) Attack Siddaramaiah Government

Opposition parties in Karnataka have intensified their criticism of the Congress government following fresh allegations of bribery involving housing allocations in Kalaburagi’s Aland constituency and corruption at the Bengaluru South taluk office.

On Friday, B R Patil, Deputy Chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission and MLA, was heard in a leaked audio clip alleging that bribes were paid to secure houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation in his constituency.

He claimed the names he recommended were ignored when 950 houses were allotted. The allegation was made in a conversation with Housing Minister Zameer Khan’s personal assistant, Sarfaraz Khan, who denied the charges and promised legal action against middlemen if evidence was provided.

A day prior, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda made a surprise visit to the Bengaluru South taluk office and reprimanded officials for alleged corruption. He asked them to display a signboard showing the “running rate” for clearing files, questioning them about how much money was being taken per approval.

According to a report by Indian Express, these incidents have given fresh ammunition to the Opposition BJP and JD(S), who have accused the Congress government of institutionalised corruption.

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the latest episodes showed that “commission rackets have crossed all limits.” BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said his party would stage protests, while Deputy CM D K Shivakumar assured action by CM Siddaramaiah.