BJP alleges multi-crore Excise scam in Karnataka, seeks CBI probe

BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra on Tuesday demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged Rs 6,000-crore excise scam in Karnataka, calling for a probe by either a sitting High Court judge or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Addressing the media, Vijayendra said the BJP and JD(S) were jointly staging a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, accusing the Congress-led state government of corruption. Opposition leader R. Ashok, BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, JD(S) leaders Suresh Babu and Bhojegowda, along with MLAs and MLCs from both parties, participated in the protest.

Vijayendra alleged that even the Excise Minister’s name and those of his family members had surfaced in connection with the scam. Despite this, he claimed, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was not allowing a discussion on the issue in the Assembly.

He accused the state government of promoting excessive liquor consumption to boost revenue, alleging that excise targets had been increased by 35 percent over the past two-and-a-half years to fund government guarantees. He further claimed that liquor was being sold in grocery shops in rural areas and that illegal liquor sales were being allowed to fill the state’s coffers.

“Karnataka has never seen such a shameless and disgraceful government in its history,” he remarked.

Vijayendra also alleged widespread corruption in the excise department, claiming that officials were forced to pay large bribes to secure postings. He demanded the resignation of the Excise Minister and reiterated the call for an independent investigation.

The BJP leader further accused the Congress government of disrespecting the Governor during the joint session of the legislature and alleged that the government was attempting to justify such conduct. He claimed the state government had failed to announce any new development schemes in the past two-and-a-half years and accused it of destroying administrative systems due to corruption.

Earlier, the Karnataka Wine Merchants' Association has also alleged a Rs 6,000-crore scam in the state Excise Department during the two years of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. The association said it intended to write to senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to highlight the alleged corruption.

However, Excise Minister RB Timmapur dismissed the allegations, saying there was no scam and questioning the basis of the claims.

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