Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok addressing a press conference, in Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok on Sunday alleged that a bribe transaction worth around ₹2,500 crore had taken place in the Excise Department and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur, holding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directly responsible.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok claimed that bribes collected through liquor licensing were being diverted for election expenses. He said Excise officials were being given revenue collection targets and licences were being “auctioned” in violation of norms.
He referred to the recent arrest of Excise Deputy Commissioner Jagadish Nayak, who was caught by Lokayukta police allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh.
‘Bribe rates’
According to Mr. Ashok, bribe rates had been fixed at ₹1.25 crore for each CL-7 licence (totalling about ₹1,225 crore for 750 licences) and ₹1.5 crore for CL-2 licences (amounting to ₹925 crore for 650 licences). He also alleged bribe collections under CL-9 and mini-brewery licences, adding that the total was about ₹2,500 crore.
He further claimed that audio clips suggested payments being made to the Minister or his son.
He said that similar charges had been echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had alleged that Excise funds were being routed to election campaigns outside the State.
The BJP had earlier exposed irregularities related to the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, the Valmiki corporation, and land at Kogilu Cross, and vowed to pursue the Excise issue “to its logical end”, he said.
Drug mafia
On the drug trafficking issue, the BJP leader said that while the Home Minister had claimed that action was under way, the Chief Minister’s recent review meeting had revealed lapses within the police department. He said the Maharashtra police entering Karnataka to pursue drug cases had raised questions on the effectiveness of local policing.
He alleged that the drug network involved around 180 individuals, extended into prisons, and had police complicity. “Police stations have become Congress offices,” he remarked, alleging that law enforcement had become selective and influenced by money and political connections.
He cited the case of Congress leader Rajeev Gowda from Sidlaghatta, who, he said, had not been arrested despite repeated demands. He also alleged that a woman official in Varuna – the Chief Minister’s constituency – was threatened, claiming similar incidents across districts and asserting that MLAs and local strongmen were intimidating officials.
“The Chief Minister has lost grip over administration,” Mr. Ashok said, adding that the government was in a “paralysed state”.
Published – January 18, 2026 10:38 pm IST
