The specter of corruption looms large once again in Karnataka as members of a contractors’ association revive allegations of malfeasance, this time targeting the Congress government led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Accusing bureaucrats of demanding kickbacks, the association claims that the notorious practice of demanding a “40% commission” persists, albeit with a twist.
The allegations, which had previously plagued the BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai’s leadership, have resurfaced with a shift in focus. Previously, the association had accused politicians of profiteering from public projects, earning the erstwhile government the moniker of ‘40% sarkara’ (40% government). However, the latest claims suggest a new modus operandi, implicating bureaucrats as the beneficiaries of corrupt practices.
D. Kempanna, President of the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, remarked, “I don’t think corruption has come down. Now, officials are making money. Earlier, politicians were.” This sentiment echoes the frustrations of many association members who allege that work orders are withheld and funds are not released unless bribes are paid. Furthermore, there are accusations of preferential treatment, with “package deals” being awarded to agencies closely affiliated with bureaucrats, sidelining local contractors.
The timing of these allegations is significant, coming just weeks ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. They pose a challenge to the Congress government’s credibility, especially considering the pivotal role corruption allegations played in the party’s resurgence to power in Karnataka last year.
In response to the allegations, Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil has called for concrete evidence, cautioning against making unsubstantiated claims. “Let him (Mr. Kempanna) state the departments… present facts against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Bengaluru municipal corporation) or the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board… and not make general statements. If there is anything, the chief minister will inquire into it,” stated Patil.
Meanwhile, the BJP has seized upon the allegations as validation of their previous assertions. BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan remarked, “The Congress party made false allegations against our government. Now, the real corruption is happening in the Congress government. Now the same contractors, who are hand-in-glove with the Congress government, are feeling the heat and facing the music.”
As the allegations reverberate through the political landscape of Karnataka, the demand for transparency and accountability in public projects grows louder, casting a shadow over the integrity of governance in the state.
Sources By Agencies
