Opposition begins overnight dharna in Vidhana Soudha demanding Excise Minister’s resignation

BJP and JD(S) MLAs launched a sleepy protest at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister RB Thimmapur over the alleged corruption scandal in his division.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok alleged corruption to the tune of ₹ 6,000 crore in the department by Guruswamy, president of the Karnataka Wine Merchants Association, citing a letter written by an Excise official who was recently trapped by the Lokayukta police and an audio conversation allegedly between an Excise official and a lawyer.

However, the government backtracked and even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that there was no need for the Minister to resign based on mere allegations.

BJP and JD(S) MLAs during an overnight dharna at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister RB Thimmapur. | Photo Credit: special editing

Mr. Thimmapur said many former Excise Ministers are also facing allegations of corruption, often by vested interests. He claimed to have introduced various reforms to ensure transparency in the ministry and denied allegations of corruption. He attempted to distance himself from the allegations and claimed that some officials were at fault and were trying to misuse his name by referencing the audio clip in question. He said the officer was suspended from duty.

audio tape

Mr. Ashok read the transcript of an audio recording of a conversation between Joint Commissioner of Excise Nagarajappa and a lawyer named Ramesh, in which there was a demand for ₹ 18 lakh for setting up a new wine store. “The voice says that the bribes will be given to Mr. Thimmapur and his son Vinay. It is said that one should directly talk to the Minister to reduce the bribes,” Mr. Ashok said.

The reference to the part of the audio recording in which a senior Excise official allegedly suggested the applicant to meet the Prime Minister or his son to obtain a new liquor sales licence, created a stir in Parliament.

Mr. Ashok stated that a complaint in this regard was also filed before the Lokayukta and an Excise Department official even made a statement before the Lokayukta regarding corruption in the department. He wondered why the audio recording was not sent to FSL to verify its authenticity.

He also claimed that the collected bribes found their way to finance elections in other states. He said the Congress government had to send money to Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Wait until investigation

Senior Minister KH Muniyappa argued that it was unfair to ask for the resignation of the Minister at this stage as the case was being investigated by the Lokayukta. “Let the investigation be completed and the next step will be taken based on the findings,” he said.

Mr. Thimmapur accepted the objection and said that there was no case against him and the case before the Lokayukta was only about the officials.

Several Ministers, including Priyank Kharge, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Sharan Prakash Patil, defended Mr. Thimmapur and pointed out allegations of corruption during the BJP regime and cases where Ministers did not resign.

BJP members pointed out instances where Ministers Nagesh and KS Eshwarappa resigned due to corruption allegations.