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The allegations under MUDA, Valmiki Corporation, the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, and now these allegations by Congress leaders themselves are putting the party into a bind.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (PTI)
The Congress is grappling with a crisis which shows all signs of building. All signs in the Congress government in Karnataka are pointing towards a never-ending crisis, with one legislator after another complaining about the extent of corruption and inefficiency in the administrative machinery.
The urgency with which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met two legislators, BR Patil and Raju Kage, who publicly raised the issue of corruption in the allotment of houses to the poor, was indicative of the seriousness of the problems that have come to light. His meeting with the two legislators, with the assurance that he would solve their problems in their respective constituencies, followed by a meeting with his ardent supporter and Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, drove home the point to any observer that it was a serious issue.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, however, looked at it from a different perspective. “He (Siddaramaiah) is not the same man we saw in the 2013–18 phase. He is not as effective as he was then. The government is running on auto-pilot,” a close supporter of Shivakumar, who did not wish to be named, told News18.
On his part, Zameer Khan has denied all allegations, saying that he does not need the money of the poor as he is financially well-off (he runs a major private bus service apart from being a movie producer). Zameer is also said to have met Siddaramaiah in the background of the controversy.
But the way the entire issue has been brought to light by the release of an audio conversation between BR Patil and Zameer’s private assistant has made everyone point out the “I-told-you-so” about corruption in the government. Kage also backed BR Patil by explaining his own experience.
The issue of corruption is a sensitive matter largely because the Congress came back to power in 2023 on the plank that the BJP government was a “40 per cent commission sarkar.” “What I had to say, I have told both the CM and the DCM, and they have listened very patiently,” said Patil, the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board.
A source close to Patil said that in his meeting with Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC chief, he heard him out and asked him to explain the matter to the Chief Minister. “He did not offer him a solution but asked him to explain it to the CM,” said the leader on condition of anonymity.
Sources close to Siddaramaiah said that the CM sorted out certain pending issues with Patil and also said he will look into the complaint raised by him. Siddaramaiah has also pulled up Patil and Kage for their public statements and asked them to fall in line and report to the party if they have any issues, and not use the media to air their grievances. The state leadership is in place to resolve the issue internally, he is said to have told them.
Party High-Command Upset?
Siddaramaiah’s meeting with AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala in Delhi to brief them on Patil’s allegations also had the central leaders pulling up the state leadership of the Congress, further putting them in an embarrassing spot. It is said that they were told the government has been late in responding to issues or allegations, and that has dented the party’s image.
The allegations under MUDA, Valmiki Corporation, the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, and now these allegations of corruption by Congress leaders themselves are putting the party into a bind. The central leaders are in no mood to let go of the slipping administration, said insiders.
“It is important for all the wheels to work in tandem and be part of the party for the party. It should not harm the Congress image as there are national repercussions,” said another leader who has been upset with the developments in the government.
However, Siddaramaiah is also said to have called the KPCC chief, who is his Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and asked him to send out a strict note to all legislators as well as the cadre to ensure that they do not further embarrass the party or the state government with public comments, and instead hold regular meetings to understand and address the grievances of the party.
“He has asked the state unit to get the house in order or else there will be strict action. Surjewala, who is expected to come to Karnataka next week, will have a piece of advice from the high command to be conveyed and ensure that the image of the Congress is not hurt.”
Siddaramaiah had a meeting with the central leaders, where he suggested names to the nomination Legislative Council, but is now awaiting the approval of Rahul Gandhi. Contrary to speculation, he had not sought a reshuffle of the ministry. Sources close to Siddaramaiah said that will happen in November.
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t…Read More
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t… Read More
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