K'taka BJP targets Cong over Rs 2,500 cr excise scam, questions CM’s silence
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led state government over the alleged Rs 2,500 crore scam in the Excise Department, demanding action against Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur and questioning the continued silence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Raising the issue on Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who often claims that his “life is an open book”, must explain his silence despite what he described as serious allegations backed by documentary evidence.
“When such large-scale illegalities are taking place right under your nose, why are you remaining silent?” Ashoka asked. He added that public suspicion was growing over the Chief Minister’s possible involvement in the alleged loot and questioned why Minister R.B. Thimmapur had not been removed from the Cabinet despite accusations that he was collecting “monthly money” from bars, pubs and clubs.
Ashoka further alleged that there was no clarity on where the proceeds of the alleged massive corruption were going. “It is natural to ask whether such extortion is possible without the blessings of the Chief Minister and other ministers,” he said.
Describing the Excise Department as an “automated teller machine” for the Congress government, Ashoka claimed it had become the centre of a percentage-based extortion racket. He alleged that bribery had become mandatory at every stage, from the transfer of officials to the granting of liquor shop licences, and that no file moved without payment. According to him, there was substantial evidence to support allegations of forced extortion from liquor shop owners amounting to as much as Rs 2,500 crore under the guise of “monthly collections”.
Ashoka pointed out that the State Liquor Merchants’ Association itself had submitted a written complaint, while a bar owner had approached the Lokayukta alleging that false cases were being filed and targets imposed if bribes were not paid. He said these developments clearly exposed the alleged wrongdoing within the department.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also targeted Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge, asking, “Despite all this, you still ask for proof. Does your government have no sense of shame?”
He further alleged that, in an attempt to shore up what he described as a bankrupt state treasury, liquor sales had been allowed to continue unchecked across Karnataka. “To satisfy this government’s thirst for money, the future of the state’s youth is being sacrificed,” Ashoka said, claiming that the liquor racket had spread to villages, leading to addiction even among children and students. He added that alcohol-related accidents were destroying families, while excise officials remained focused solely on collections.
Demanding immediate action, Ashoka said the Congress-led government must secure the resignation of Minister Thimmapur and order a comprehensive investigation. “If protecting the corrupt is your objective, the people themselves will teach you a fitting lesson. Reform yourselves or vacate your chairs,” he warned.
The excise department case, in which three officers, including one of the rank of Deputy Commissioner, have been arrested, has taken a new turn with the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging the involvement of Minister R.B. Thimmapur. The controversy has emerged as an embarrassment for the government ahead of the special session of the Karnataka Legislature scheduled to begin on January 22.
The Congress government has convened the special session to target the Centre over the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act.
A complaint has also been registered against Minister Thimmapur with the Karnataka Lokayukta. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have released purported audio clips in which an officer is allegedly heard demanding a cut for the minister.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka reiterated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must seek Minister Thimmapur’s resignation, warning that continued silence would be taken as an indication of the Chief Minister’s own involvement in the alleged scam.
With IANS inputs