Bengaluru: In a twist to the ongoing political battle in Karnataka, the Congress government, which is already facing allegations of corruption in the MUDA and Valmiki Development Corporation scams, has come under scrutiny following the revelation of a false accusation against the previous BJP government. The state cabinet, led by the Congress, recently approved the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged COVID-19 scam during the tenure of the previous BJP government. However, new evidence has come to light that exonerates the BJP of the charges levelled by a contractor backed by Congress supporters.
In a significant turn of events, the Lokayukta Police, after a thorough investigation, have concluded that 40% of the allegations made by Ambikapati, the then Vice President of the State Contractors Association, were entirely baseless. Ambikapati had made explosive claims, accusing the Bruhat Bangalore Municipal Corporation (BBMP) of demanding a 40 per cent commission for contracts during the time of BJP’s Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. This allegation was seized upon by top Congress leaders, including KPCC President DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who used it as a major political tool to attack the BJP government. The Congress party nearly succeeded in turning this accusation into a referendum against the BJP, casting a shadow over the party’s tenure.
However, in a surprising revelation, the Lokayukta investigation, which was completed and submitted on November 25 , has cleared the BJP of any wrongdoing. Sources revealed that the investigation report has shown that Ambikapati’s allegations were false and without merit. The report found no evidence to support the claim that any such 40 per cent commission demand was made in the BBMP under the previous BJP government.
Ambikapati, who had made these explosive claims, has been linked to the failure of securing contracts in the BBMP’s East Division over the last six years. The Lokayukta investigation included a review of all relevant documents, which showed that the playground contract was actually completed by contractor NM Krishnamurthy and not Ambikapati. In fact, the investigation found no record of Ambikapati being awarded any contract for BBMP projects in the East Zone, or in any other zones, during the five years prior to the allegations.
The investigation revealed that Ambikapati, in an interview with a news channel, had claimed to have paid bribes to middlemen and officials to secure a contract for playground work. However, further investigation by the police found that no such contract had been awarded to Ambikapati, and no wrongdoing was discovered in relation to his claims. This further reinforced the conclusion that the allegations were false.
Ambikapati’s allegations were largely based on his dissatisfaction over being overlooked for contracts. The Lokayukta report also pointed out that there was no evidence of any corruption or illegal practices in relation to the specific contract he had mentioned.
Given these findings, the police investigation report concluded that there was no basis for the complaint and no need for further inquiry. The final report of the Lokayukta investigation clearly stated that Ambikapati’s allegations were fabricated, and there was no substance to the claim of corruption under the BJP government.
This new development casts a shadow over the Congress party’s attempts to discredit the BJP and its leadership. Despite the Congress government’s efforts to use Ambikapati’s false allegations as a political weapon, the investigation has cleared the BJP of any wrongdoing. It is a significant blow to the narrative being pushed by Congress leaders, who had tried to capitalize on the commission allegations to tarnish the image of the BJP.
With the Lokayukta investigation report now in the public domain, the Congress government faces increasing questions about the credibility of its charges against the BJP. The findings raise doubts about the true intentions behind the allegations and whether they were part of a politically motivated campaign rather than legitimate concerns over corruption.
The BJP has already dismissed the allegations as baseless and has urged the Congress government to focus on its own governance issues rather than continuing to attack the opposition with unfounded charges. With the Lokayukta clearing the BJP of all wrongdoing, it is now clear that the allegations were nothing more than an attempt to malign the party’s image during a politically sensitive period.
Siddaramaiah s angry reaction
An unexpected outburst from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sparked a fresh controversy after he reacted angrily to media questions about the BJP leader’s claim that the Lokayukta inquiry had cleared the BJP of any wrongdoing in the alleged 40 per cent commission scam. During his visit to Bagalkote for the 71st All India Cooperation Week program, the CM was confronted by journalists regarding the allegations made against his government and the 40 per cent commission charge that was leveled by Congress leaders.
When questioned about the validity of the 40 per cent commission charge, which has now been debunked by the Lokayukta investigation, the Chief Minister lost his temper, responding aggressively, “Are you a lawyer?” He continued, “We have filed a complaint in some criminal cases. We have provided evidence for those cases. But there is doubt about that witness. The benefit of doubt goes to the accused.”
CM Siddaramaiah’s remarks came in response to the BJP’s claims that the investigation report had cleared the previous BJP government of any corruption regarding the commission allegations. The CM, in his characteristic style, dismissed these claims, stating that he had not seen the final report from the commission he had set up to probe the matter. He made it clear that his accusations were based on statements made by former contractors association president Kempanna, and he stood by the allegations despite the investigation’s conclusion.
The Chief Minister went on to make a highly controversial statement, comparing the dismissal of cases due to lack of evidence to “murder acquittals” and “firing in one case.” He remarked, “Just because there is no evidence If murder accused acquitted can we say no murder happened? he questioned.
Siddaramaiah’s frustration was further evident when he turned his ire towards BJP leaders, claiming that they had tried to fabricate a case against him, but had failed. “Do you want to hear what the BJP has to say? My allegations are different. They have tried but failed,” he said, visibly angry. He added, “Now, they have started filing false cases against me.”
But the SIT which investigating MUDA scam found prima facie evidence in the case. In Valmiki development corporation scam former minister B Nagendra was found guilty.
The CM also took aim at the BJP’s internal issues, citing a controversy involving a Congress MLA and a 50 crore rupee offer. He attempted to deflect attention from the accusations by suggesting that the BJP should focus on its own problems rather than targeting him.
Congress concocted allegations BJP
In a scathing attack, BJP leaders have accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC President DK Shivakumar and former state contractor association leader Ambikapati of fabricating false charges against the previous BJP government, leading to a massive political controversy. The BJP has asserted that the “false palace” of allegations created by the Congress has now crumbled, with the truth coming to light.
ಹಿಂದಿನ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ 40% ಕಮಿಷನ್ ಆರೋಪ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಾಗಿ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಸುಳ್ಳು, ಅಪಪ್ರಚಾರ ಎಂದು ಹಲವಾರು ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನಾಯಕರು ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆದಾರರ ಸಂಘದ ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಅಂಬಿಕಾಪತಿ ಅವರು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ 40% ಕಮಿಷನ್ ಆರೋಪಗಳು ಶುದ್ಧ ಸುಳ್ಳೆಂದು ಲೋಕಾಯುಕ್ತ ತನಿಖಾ… pic.twitter.com/pBI0k1wFMm
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 16, 2024
According to the BJP, Siddaramaiah and his party leaders repeatedly misled the public with the 40% commission allegations, which they now claim have been completely debunked. “By spreading lies, they misled the people of Karnataka, and now Siddaramaiah himself has proven he is ‘Sullu Ramayya’ (False Ramayya),”opposition leader R Ashok told referring to the Chief Minister’s actions.
The BJP also reminded the people of Karnataka that the Congress had been attempting to build a case out of nothing for political gain. “Now that the truth has come out, it is clear that the charges made by Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and Ambikapati were all fabricated and false. They will have to answer for this deception,” the BJP leader added.
Opposition party leader R Ashok accused congress of making false allegations for political gains. In his X account he said the people would throw congress away from power soon.
