Tue Feb 03 16:28:17 UTC 2026: # Karnataka Government Faces Corruption Allegations, Opposition Demands Excise Minister’s Resignation

The Story:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) MLAs staged an overnight protest at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on February 3, 2026, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur. The protest was triggered by allegations of a ₹6,000 crore corruption scandal within the Excise Department. The opposition, led by R. Ashok, cited a letter from the Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association president, the apprehension of an Excise official by the Lokayukta police, and a purported audio conversation implicating Thimmapur and his son in bribe demands.

Despite the opposition’s demands, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended Thimmapur, stating there was no need for resignation based on mere allegations. Thimmapur refuted the claims, asserting he had implemented reforms to increase transparency and that corrupt officials were misusing his name. The ruling party also pointed out previous corruption allegations during the BJP’s tenure where ministers did not resign.

Key Points:

  • BJP and JD(S) MLAs held an overnight protest demanding the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur.
  • R. Ashok alleged a ₹6,000 crore corruption scandal in the Excise Department.
  • The allegations are based on a letter, the arrest of an Excise official, and an audio recording.
  • The audio recording purportedly implicates Thimmapur and his son Vinay in bribe demands.
  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended Thimmapur, refusing to demand his resignation based on allegations.
  • Thimmapur denied the allegations and claimed he had introduced reforms to increase transparency.
  • Senior Minister K.H. Muniyappa suggested waiting for the Lokayukta investigation to conclude.
  • The BJP cited instances of Ministers Nagesh and K.S. Eshwarappa resigning over corruption allegations in the past.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Karnataka government is facing significant pressure from the opposition regarding alleged corruption in the Excise Department.
  • The audio recording appears to be a central piece of evidence in the opposition’s accusations, warranting further investigation.
  • The Chief Minister’s defense of the Excise Minister suggests a reluctance to concede to the opposition’s demands, potentially escalating political tensions.
  • The comparisons to past instances of ministerial resignations indicate a strategic effort by the BJP to highlight what they perceive as a double standard.
  • The Lokayukta investigation will play a crucial role in determining the validity of the allegations and the next course of action.

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