Ashok targets Siddaramaiah government over alleged excise scam, seeks minister’s removal
Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP has launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, accusing it of presiding over what it termed as large-scale corruption in the excise department.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R Ashok alleged that the state government was “asleep at the wheel” and immersed in corruption, warning that failure to sack Excise Minister R B Thimmapur would imply the Chief Minister’s direct involvement.
Addressing a joint press conference at the BJP office along with Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Ashok claimed that unrealistic revenue targets imposed year after year had turned the excise department into a “marketplace for licences”.
Referring to a recent Lokayukta raid, he said a senior official was caught red-handed allegedly demanding ₹2.30 crore for a single licence, calling it evidence of a “massive and organised scam”.
Ashok alleged that excise officials, including deputy commissioners and superintendents, were acting as key links in a bribery network, with money allegedly flowing “all the way up to the minister”.
He cited purported audio clips, played during the press meet, in which references were allegedly made to bribes, monthly payments and spot licence approvals. “Congress leaders kept asking for proof. Now there is audio evidence that money has to be paid even to the minister,” he claimed.
The BJP leader further alleged that hundreds of crores were collected through CL-2, CL-7, CL-9 licences and microbrewery approvals, estimating the total alleged corruption in the excise department at over ₹3,500 crore.
He claimed that liquor revenue was being misused to fund elections in other states, echoing earlier allegations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ashok also broadened his attack to law and order, accusing the government of allowing drug networks to flourish and politicising the police force. He mocked the Chief Minister as “Nidderamiah” (sleeping Siddaramaiah), alleging administrative paralysis and loss of control over governance.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged corruption not only in the excise department but also in Bengaluru’s solid waste management tenders, claiming contracts worth thousands of crores were awarded to select firms.
Both leaders demanded the immediate removal of the excise minister and warned of statewide protests and legal action if the government failed to act. The Congress government has not yet responded to the fresh allegations.
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