Bengaluru: The Congress government in Karnataka is facing mounting allegations of running a “60 per cent commission raj” after the resignation of Bhovi Development Corporation chairman S. Ravikumar over charges of large-scale corruption. Opposition parties, community leaders, and even sections of the public have seized upon the episode to accuse Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of shielding corrupt practices in state-run corporations.
Ravikumar tendered his resignation on Friday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed him to step down. His exit followed a string of explosive allegations by community leaders and a flurry of opposition attacks. The Bhovi Samaj National President, Venkatesh Maurya, claimed that Ravikumar was “openly demanding a 60 per cent commission” from beneficiaries to release funds under various development projects.
“Out of every loan or scheme meant for the poor, more than half was going into the pockets of politicians and middlemen. This is not governance, this is organized loot in the name of social justice,” Venkatesh alleged at a press conference.
The allegations did not emerge overnight. In August 2024, the CID raided the Bengaluru office of the Bhovi Development Corporation after reports of large-scale irregularities. Investigators alleged misuse of public records and the illegal diversion of more than Rs 10 crore. Further, in 2021-22, the corporation was accused of colluding with brokers to distribute loans to entrepreneurs, with corruption pegged at nearly Rs 85 crore.
Despite this, Ravikumar remained in office until public outrage forced the government’s hand. Opposition leaders argue that Siddaramaiah’s directive for his resignation was an attempt at damage control rather than accountability.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) have turned the issue into a major political weapon. Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader R. Ashok demanded that Siddaramaiah himself resign, holding the CM directly responsible for the rot in state-run welfare corporations.
“This government has institutionalized commission culture. Today it is Bhovi Corporation, yesterday it was another Corporation, tomorrow it will be another. If Siddaramaiah has any morality left, he should step down immediately,” Ashok said.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JDS also joined the attack, branding the Congress administration a “percentage government.” “Every scheme, every project, every benefit is filtered through brokers who take their cut. The Congress government is bleeding the poor for profit,” he charged.
The JDS took to social media to amplify the issue, accusing the Congress of systematically looting funds meant for marginalised communities. “The @INCKarnataka government, which committed massive corruption in the Valmiki Development Corporation, is now looting crores in the Bhovi Development Corporation as well. Not even an inch of land is allotted without a commission. How much is your share in this corruption, @siddaramaiah? How much is the ministers’ share?” the party posted.
ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ನಿಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ ಭ್ರಷ್ಟಾಚಾರ ಎಸಗಿದ್ದ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ, ಈಗ ಭೋವಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ನಿಗಮದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ರೂ. ಲೂಟಿ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ.
ಪರ್ಸಂಟೇಜ್ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರ್ಸಂಟೇಜ್ ಕೊಡದಿದ್ರೆ ಭೂ ಯೋಜನೆಯಡಿ ಒಂದಿಂಚು ಭೂಮಿಯೂ ಸಿಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಭೋವಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ನಿಗಮದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ರವಿಕುಮಾರ್,… pic.twitter.com/qE8RkIMhQa
— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) September 1, 2025
Interestingly, Ravikumar initially refused to resign, despite the CM’s instructions. In a message to KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, he said: “I have done nothing wrong. I have been targeted using AI technology. I will not resign until a proper investigation is conducted and the report is received.”
He had even threatened to take his case to Delhi and seek support from the Congress high command. However, mounting pressure from the opposition and within the party forced him to finally submit his resignation.
