Rift in Karnataka Congress: MLAs Declare Government ‘Completely Collapsed’ as CM Siddaramaiah Steps In to Address Legislators

Karnataka’s ruling Congress party is facing increasing unrest among its MLAs amid serious allegations of bribery and administrative failings that have tarnished the government’s reputation. Home Minister G Parameshwara expressed optimism on Wednesday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would address the concerns of discontented legislators.

“The MLAs have raised issues primarily related to their constituencies,” Parameshwara said. “They have sought timely fund releases for development work. The chief minister is committed to resolving these issues.” This statement came in response to questions about whether internal discord was affecting the government’s stability.

Several Congress legislators, including Raju Kage from Kagwad and B R Patil from Aland, have publicly voiced their frustrations regarding delays in development projects, stalled funding, and allegations of corruption in public housing allocations. Kage has even hinted at resigning, stating that the administration has “completely collapsed” due to inefficiency and unresponsiveness.

Compounding the crisis is Aland MLA B R Patil’s claim of bribery connected to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. In a leaked audio clip, Patil alleged that approximately 950 houses were improperly allotted through corrupt means. While he did not name any ministers directly, he called for an in-depth investigation into the housing board’s practices.

Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna has demanded the resignation of Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan over the scandal. Khan has refuted the claims against him and expressed his willingness to cooperate with any inquiry.

In light of these developments, Home Minister Parameshwara reaffirmed that the complaints presented by the MLAs center around constituency issues and assured that the Chief Minister would handle them. He further highlighted that all legislators have been directed to devise action plans for development projects valued at ₹50 crore in their respective areas, including those belonging to opposition parties. Parameshwara emphasized, “Can we undertake such initiatives without funds? The CM has assured that support will extend to all MLAs.”

Acknowledging growing frustrations among MLAs over the inaccessibility of government ministers, Parameshwara maintained that this is a common challenge for any administration and should be resolved through dialogue. He also dismissed attempts by the opposition BJP to politicize the situation, urging a focus on future advancements rather than dwelling on historical controversies, such as the Emergency.

The political turbulence has attracted sharp criticism from the BJP, which accuses the Congress government of rampant corruption and predicts potential defections from its ranks. As the situation unfolds, the Congress party faces a critical test of its cohesion and commitment to governance, with the eyes of constituents and political analysts firmly fixed on how swiftly and effectively these grievances will be addressed.

Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/rift-in-karnataka-congress-mlas-allege-govt-completely-collapsed-cm-siddaramaiah-to-speak-to-legislators-11750851849657.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-25 18:02:00