A political storm has erupted in Karnataka as Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that the Congress was linked to the recent recovery of ₹42 crore in cash by the Income Tax department in Bengaluru. Chandrasekhar made these claims during a press conference, accusing the accused contractor of collaborating with the Congress and labeling the previous BJP government in Karnataka as a “40 percent commission government.”
The minister’s accusations didn’t stop there. He also asserted that the Congress was treating Karnataka as an “ATM” to fund elections in other states, characterizing the situation as disheartening.
Chandrasekhar’s comments were in reference to the upcoming elections in five states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. He further mentioned the name of the contractor, Ambikapathy, who, on behalf of the Congress, had allegedly written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, accusing the erstwhile BJP government in Karnataka of rampant corruption.
Reportedly, ₹42 crore in cash was discovered at the contractor’s house during the Income Tax department’s raid. Chandrasekhar claimed that Ambikapathy and other contractors, working on behalf of the Congress, had propagated a false narrative of corruption against the BJP, which misled voters in Karnataka and led to the Congress party’s victory.
The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association had previously written to PM Modi, alleging that elements of the previous government would demand a significant portion of the funds allocated for public projects.
Chandrasekhar further criticized the Congress, stating that they believe in “fake guarantees, lies, and corruption,” with corruption embedded in the DNA of the party. He alleged that the same political strategy used in Karnataka is now being deployed in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
The cash discovery has sparked controversy, with the BJP and JDS alleging that the money was meant to fund election campaigns. In contrast, the Congress has labeled the raids as politically motivated.
The ₹42 crore was found concealed in 20 cardboard boxes hidden under a bed at a relative’s house of Ambikapathy. The political battle intensifies as these allegations and counter-allegations unfold in Karnataka, with implications for the upcoming state elections in several regions of India.
Sources By Agencies
