Vindication Or Misinformation? 40% Commission Scam Spectre Returns To Karnataka Battleground

Last Updated:November 19, 2024, 11:30 IST

The allegations of 40 per cent commission first came to light in April 2022 following contractor Santosh Patil’s suicide, in which he accused BJP minister KS Eshwarappa of demanding bribes for a government project

While BJP continues to claim that the 40 per cent commission allegations were part of a political smear campaign, Congress maintains that the investigation is far from over. (PTI)

The battle over the alleged 40 per cent commission scandal between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka has escalated once again, with minister Priyank Kharge criticising BJP’s claim of a “clean chit" in the row, calling it “yet another move to hide the real truth and trick of spreading misinformation".

“They have mastered the art of lying and spreading fake news, and have turned a blind eye to the commission’s report on Yediyurappa and Sriramulu during the Covid-19 scam. They seem to have given themselves a clean chit, whereas the late Ambikapathy had made 10-15 allegations. They chose to investigate only the most convenient issues for them, but others are still pending," Kharge told News18, reacting to the BJP’s claims that the Lokayukta report had exonerated the previous Basavaraj Bommai government.

The contractors’ association’s allegations, involving the state’s contractors and the previous BJP government under Bommai, stem from charges in a case filed by the late D Kempanna and R Ambikapathy, the president and vice-president of the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association. They alleged that the then BJP government took a 40 per cent commission to award contracts, which allegedly led to a contractor dying by suicide.

However, both Kempanna and Ambikapathy died due to age-related illnesses and heart attacks over the past year.

Kharge accused the BJP of using the report to distract from the larger issue of corruption. “When the investigating officer went to Ambikapathy’s house, he was already dead. His son had no information about the allegations made by his father, and the officer simply took the death certificate. Investigating only one allegation related to a BBMP playground does not exonerate the BJP of the larger 40 per cent scam," he said.

While BJP continues to claim that the 40 per cent commission allegations were part of a political smear campaign, Congress maintains that the investigation is far from over.

With the findings of the Justice Nagmohan Das Commission still pending, the political showdown over corruption in Karnataka is far from finished.

The BJP has shifted focus to Congress, accusing it of running an even more corrupt regime. “This government is steeped in corruption as evidenced by recent statements from the chief minister himself," Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra said.

Kharge, however, took issue with the BJP’s handling of other serious allegations, which he said had been ignored. “The BJP government did not take any action to investigate the other serious allegations made by contractors, including claims involving the PWD, health, and housing departments. Isn’t this a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability?" Kharge told News18.

Kharge emphasised that the ongoing investigation by the judicial commission, led by Justice Nagmohan Das, would uncover the truth about the BJP’s role in the 40 per cent commission.

“The Lokayukta’s report is not the final word on this. The truth will come out through the findings of the Nagmohan Das Commission, which is looking into the broader issue of the 40 per cent commission," said the CM’s office on the issue.

On the other hand, BJP has been quick to seize on the Lokayukta’s findings as evidence that their government was wrongly accused. BJP leaders have portrayed the report as a vindication, suggesting that Congress used the contractors’ association’s allegations to discredit them.

BJP leader R Ashoka dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. “The Lokayukta found no evidence of the alleged 40 per cent commission. Kempanna and Ambikapathy were tools of the Congress used to malign our government," Ashoka said.

Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa also echoed the sentiment, calling on Congress to apologise. “The truth is out now. The Congress deliberately spread lies about the BJP. The Lokayukta’s report confirms this," he said.

Vijayendra also supported the notion that Congress fabricated the allegations. “Our government was unfairly targeted with baseless accusations. The Congress has a history of spreading lies, and this report exposes their deceit," Vijayendra said. He also accused Congress of presiding over even worse corruption during its time in power. “Contractors are now being forced to pay up to 80 per cent in bribes. Under Congress, corruption has deepened. The chief minister himself admitted that Congress MLAs are being sold," he alleged.

The allegations of 40 per cent commission first came to light in April 2022 following contractor Santosh Patil’s suicide, in which he accused BJP minister KS Eshwarappa of demanding bribes for a government project. The scandal spread as other contractors echoed similar claims, leading to widespread outrage.

While the BJP claims that the investigation cleared them, Congress has pointed out that the Lokayukta could only investigate one aspect of the allegations — a project related to a playground under BBMP.

“The investigation only covered one small issue related to the playground in BBMP’s East Zone. That doesn’t mean no wrongdoing occurred. Evidence is often difficult to gather, and that doesn’t absolve guilt," Congress countered.

The party has questioned why the BJP government did not pursue other allegations during its time in power. “The BJP selectively investigated complaints, overlooking serious charges of bribery, backed by documents. Isn’t this deliberate inaction?" Congress said in a statement.

Kharge also used the opportunity to highlight other corruption cases during the BJP’s tenure, which he argued were now being proven through ongoing investigations. He mentioned the PSI recruitment scam, irregularities in the Ganga Kalyan scheme, KKRDB financial mismanagement, and the Covid-19 relief scam as examples of systemic corruption under the BJP.

The Congress said BJP denied these scams for years, but investigations are now proving the truth.

They said the interim report of the Michael Cunha Commission has proven the illegality during the Covid-19 period, implicating former chief minister Yeddyurappa and then health minister Ramulu under the Control of Corruption Act, 1988.

News politics Vindication Or Misinformation? 40% Commission Scam Spectre Returns To Karnataka Battleground