The Karnataka BJP has stepped up its attack on the Congress-led government, branding it the "commission sarkara" in response to allegations of corruption in government tenders. The BJP’s latest offensive comes in the wake of a massive 20,000-page report submitted by the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission on Wednesday, reported Times of India. The commission was established to investigate accusations that the previous BJP government had engaged in ‘40% commission’ practices in awarding contracts for public projects.
Following this, BJP released a satirical video on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, featuring an edited image of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with a Nike-style graffiti reading, “Just Loot It @ flat 60% commission,” mocking the brand’s well-known slogan.
Contractor Complaints Spark Investigation
The probe was initiated following a complaint by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, which alleged that commissions exceeding 40% were being collected in government tender processes, reported PTI. The association urged an inquiry into various concerns, including the discontinuation of the package system, manipulation of the Schedule of Rates (SR) list, transparency in tender allocation, and prioritization of bill payments. It also sought a review of the direct award of contracts through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL).
In response, the commission conducted an in-depth investigation, gathering public testimonies and reviewing submitted complaints before compiling its findings. The comprehensive report has now been handed over to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for further action.
The BJP, which was previously in power, has dismissed the inquiry as politically motivated, while the Congress government has maintained that the findings expose deep-rooted corruption in previous administrations. With tensions escalating, the report’s implications are likely to shape Karnataka’s political landscape in the coming days.