The Congress government has once again come under fire after fresh corruption allegations surfaced against Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader. BJP MLA Dr Y. Bharat Shetty has accused Khader of turning the Speaker’s post into a “profitable seat” and demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge into what he called “large-scale misuse of public funds and official privileges.”
Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Dr Shetty alleged that the Speaker’s office, which is expected to uphold transparency and neutrality, has instead become a hub of irregularities. “The Speaker’s office should be brought under the ambit of the RTI. We are not allowed to ask questions. This secrecy itself raises doubts about corruption,” he said, demanding immediate accountability.
Dr Shetty made scathing remarks about the way the Assembly lounge has been renovated, alleging it now “resembles a massage parlor rather than a legislative space.” He accused Khader of misusing funds under the guise of modernisation. “They say everyone has free food, but no one knows where the calculation is. The spending is opaque, and there is no audit. Dogs are roaming inside the legislative house veranda, but the Speaker is busy installing smart locks,” Shetty said, calling the decision “a symbol of misplaced priorities.”
The BJP MLA further slammed Khader for what he described as “omniscience syndrome,” accusing him of behaving as though he is above accountability. “The Congress government is already sinking under the weight of corruption and lack of financial discipline. Now, even the Speaker’s office has become a subject of scandal,” Shetty charged.
The allegations extend beyond cosmetic renovations. Dr Shetty claimed there were irregularities in the procurement of various equipment for the Vidhana Soudha, including smart safe lockers, smart energy solutions, and stainless steel water purifiers. He alleged a clear price manipulation in these purchases and hinted at links to suppliers from Mangaluru, suggesting a local nexus benefiting from inflated contracts.
Raising doubts about lavish and unnecessary expenditures, Shetty cited the example of a recently held book fair at the Vidhana Soudha. “Around Rs 4.5 crore was spent on a five-day book fair nearly Rs 1 crore per day. They claim to have no funds for road construction and public works, but they have no hesitation in spending crores for such extravagant shows. This exposes the Congress government’s misplaced priorities and misuse of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
The BJP leader said the Speaker’s alleged conduct has shattered the Congress government’s claims of transparency and accountability. “The Speaker should lead by example. Instead, UT Khader has reduced the dignity of the chair to a personal fiefdom,” he stated.
Dr Shetty announced that the BJP is preparing to escalate the matter both politically and legally. “We are discussing filing a formal complaint with the Governor. This issue will be raised forcefully in the next Assembly session. The Speaker cannot hide behind his chair to escape scrutiny,” he asserted.
The allegations come at a time when the Congress government is already facing criticism for administrative lapses, delayed salaries, and rising public debt. Opposition leaders claim the latest controversy around the Speaker reflects a “deep-rooted culture of corruption” within the ruling party.
