Karnataka Assembly Adjourned Amid BJP's Scam Allegations Against Excise Minister
In a dramatic turn of events at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Friday, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) created heated scenes demanding the immediate resignation of Excise Minister RB Timmapur over allegations of a massive Rs 2,500 crore scam within the state's excise department. The confrontation led to multiple adjournments and intense sloganeering, bringing legislative proceedings to a standstill.
Allegations of Systematic Corruption and Political Funding
Raising the issue through an adjournment motion, opposition leader R Ashoka leveled serious accusations against the Congress-led government. He alleged that bribes collected for issuing liquor licenses were being systematically diverted to fund the Congress party's election expenses in poll-bound states including Assam and Kerala. Ashoka claimed that licenses were being "auctioned" in blatant violation of prescribed norms and regulatory frameworks.
The confrontation escalated when Speaker UT Khader attempted to proceed with scheduled business by inviting Congress legislator AS Ponnanna to move a motion of thanks to the governor's address. Ashoka vehemently objected, insisting that his adjournment notice concerning the alleged excise scam must be taken up first as a matter of urgent public importance.
Evidence and Legal Complaints Presented
Ashoka presented multiple pieces of evidence to support his allegations, stating: "A complaint was registered against the minister. The allegation is not only based on a complaint, but also an audio clip. This is an important issue and must be discussed." He further revealed that both the minister and his son's names had surfaced in connection with the scandal, marking what he described as the third such instance of corruption allegations.
The BJP leader accused the government of systematic "corruption" and disclosed that a formal complaint had already been lodged with the Karnataka Lokayukta, the state's anti-corruption ombudsman. Despite these serious claims, Speaker Khader maintained that the notice could not be considered under an adjournment motion but could be discussed later under different procedural rules.
Assembly Proceedings Disrupted by Protests
When the speaker proceeded with the scheduled business despite BJP's objections, party legislators trooped into the well of the House, protesting vociferously and demanding Minister Timmapur's resignation. Amid sustained sloganeering that made normal proceedings impossible, the speaker was forced to adjourn the House for lunch.
The stalemate continued even after lunch, with BJP legislators relentlessly pressing for Timmapur's resignation. Although the excise minister stated he was ready to defend himself against the allegations, the opposition remained adamant about his immediate resignation.
Political Tit-for-Tat and Historical Precedents
Ashoka defended his party's aggressive stance by drawing parallels with previous political confrontations. He reminded the Congress benches: "You sought the resignations of BJP ministers including former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa, before any investigation was conducted. Why can't we seek similar action against the excise minister?"
With neither side willing to back down and the impasse continuing unabated, Speaker Khader eventually adjourned the House until January 27, leaving the contentious issue unresolved.
Roots of the Allegations: Lokayukta's Investigation
The current allegations stem from an incident where the Karnataka Lokayukta reportedly caught several excise department officials "red-handed" while allegedly accepting bribes. Those apprehended included:
- Jagadeesh Naik, Excise Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban district)
- Thammanna K M, Superintendent of Excise
- Lakkappa Gani, Excise Constable
They were allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh, which investigators believe was part of a larger Rs 80 lakh payment intended to secure a CL-7 license (for hotels and boarding houses) along with a microbrewery license. This incident has now snowballed into a major political controversy with far-reaching implications for Karnataka's excise administration and political landscape.
