The Karnataka BJP’s efforts to win another term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda have been countered by allegations of corruption against the state government.
A search at the home of the bureaucrat son of a Karnataka BJP MLA, who was caught taking bribes a day ago, unearthed cash worth around ₹ 6 crore, officials said on Friday, in a major embarrassment for the party. Attract voters for the elections later this year, reports NDTV.
The anti-corruption wing of the Lokayukta – the state’s ombudsman – raided the house of BJP MLA Madal Virupaksappa’s son Prashant Madal and found a huge stash of cash. The search continued till late night.
Madal Virupaksappa, the MLA from Channagiri in Davangere district, is the chairman of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the maker of famous Mysore sandal soap. His son is the Chief Accountant at Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
On Thursday, Karnataka Lokayukta officials caught Mr. Virupakshappa’s son accepting a bribe of ₹ 40 at the KSDL office and arrested him. At least three bags of cash worth ₹ 1.75 crore were found in the office, which were also seized, officials said.
“The Lokayukta’s anti-corruption wing yesterday caught BJP MLA Madal Virupaksappa’s son Prashant Madal accepting a bribe of ₹ 40 lakh. More than ₹ 1.7 crore cash was seized from his office,” the Karnataka Lokayukta said.
The Ombudsman said he had received complaints about Prashant Madal, a 2008-batch Karnataka Administrative Service officer, demanding ₹81-lakh from a contractor for a contract for raw materials to manufacture soap and other detergents.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Ombudsman would conduct an independent investigation. He also attacked the opposition party Congress.
We have re-established Lokayuktas to curb corruption. Many cases were closed due to dismissal of Lokayukta during Congress rule. We will investigate closed cases. Lokayukta is an independent organization and our role is clear. The agency will investigate independently and we will not interfere,” he said.
The Karnataka BJP’s efforts to win another term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda have been countered by allegations of corruption against the state government.
Opposition parties have accused Mr. Bommai’s administration of introducing kickbacks at normal rates, calling it a “40 percent” government.
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