Rise of corruption in Karnataka: BJP targets Siddaramaiah over Upa Lokayukta’s comments

A public comment by Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa on rising corruption in Karnataka has provided fodder to the Opposition BJP to pounce on the ruling Congress and demand accountability from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Three years ago, the Congress had run a long campaign targeting the then BJP regime, accusing it of running a 40% commission government by collecting cuts in the award of government contracts. The BJP is now using the judge’s remarks to target the Siddaramaiah government.

Justice B. Veerappa, at an event in Bengaluru on Wednesday, said Karnataka ranked fifth in corruption with 63%, while Kerala had only 10%. Karnataka would be in grave danger in the future unless the menace was curbed immediately.


The judge referred to a survey conducted by a social media platform, according to which only 10% of people paid a bribe in Kerala, but that number was 63% in Karnataka.

BJP state president B. Y. Vijayendra called the judge’s comments “the biggest evidence needed for the Congress government's 2.5 years of corruption and misgovernance.” He wondered if the government’s goal was to ramp up the "achievement" from 63% corruption to 100%. “For this Congress government, corruption matters more than public service or the state's prestige,” he posted on X.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said the Congress had levelled a baseless 40% commission allegation to mislead people and seize power. “...now the Congress party has completely drowned itself in the commission racket.”

Ashoka asked the CM if he would own up moral responsibility now and step down. “The Congress party, which won 136 seats through lies, malicious propaganda, and deceit—if it dissolves the assembly and faces elections now, it won't even get 36 seats. This is my guarantee,” he posted on X.