A storm has erupted in Karnataka’s political circles after senior Congress MLA B R Patil accused his own party’s government of corruption in the allocation of public housing units under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. In a phone conversation—now viral—Patil alleged that bribes were being collected for house allotments and that recommendations by elected representatives were being sidelined.
The audio recording, reportedly featuring Patil in conversation with Sarfaraz Khan, the private secretary to Housing Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, has intensified political tensions. In the clip, Patil, the MLA from Aland, can be heard expressing frustration over the alleged misallocation of up to 950 houses across constituencies and warning that “the government will shake” if he chose to speak openly, as per a report on Deccan Herald.
When questioned by reporters on Friday, Patil confirmed the authenticity of the voice in the audio but refrained from divulging further details. He said he would raise the matter directly with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reported News18.
The explosive claims have put the Congress-led state government on the defensive. Following this, Housing Minister has ordered an internal probe after BR Patil's claim.
BJP Slams Karnataka Govt
Reacting swiftly, the opposition BJP launched a scathing attack on the government. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused Housing Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan of presiding over a corrupt system and demanded his immediate resignation.
He said: "Karnataka Housing Minister @BZZameerAhmedK continues to cling to power, even as his own party's MLA exposes deep-rooted corruption and blatant irregularities in house allocations! What moral right does @BZZameerAhmedK have to remain in office when integrity is clearly in question, and that too from within his own ranks? This stinks to high heaven."
The BJP also questioned Congress national leadership, tagging Rahul Gandhi, Randeep Surjewala, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and demanded answers over the alleged housing scam.
Congress MLA BR Patil caught on tape exposing corruption in the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme! In a leaked call recording, the MLA tells a minister that “without bribe, nobody is getting a house.”"