Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok on Sunday alleged that there was a bribery transaction worth around ₹ 2,500 crore in the Excise Department and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister RB Thimmapura, reporting directly to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
At a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok alleged that bribes collected through liquor licenses were being diverted for election expenses. He said excise officials were being given targets for revenue collection and licenses were being “auctioned” in violation of norms.
He referred to the recent arrest of Excise Deputy Commissioner Jagadish Nayak, who was caught by the Lokayukta police allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹25 crore.
“bribe rates”
According to Mr Ashok, the bribe rates were fixed at ₹1.25 crore for each CL-7 license (a total of about ₹1,225 crore for 750 licences) and ₹1.5 billion for CL-2 licenses (amounting to ₹925 crore for 650 licences). He also alleged collection of bribes under CL-9 licenses and microbreweries, adding that the total amount was about ₹2,500 crore.
He further claimed that the audio clips suggested payments to the minister or his son.
He said similar allegations were echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who alleged that funds from the excise tax were diverted to election campaigns outside the state.
The BJP had earlier exposed irregularities related to the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, the Valmiki Corporation and the Kogilu Cross land and vowed to pursue the excise issue “to its logical end”, he said.
Drug mafia
On the issue of drug peddling, the BJP leader said that while the Home Minister claimed that the drive was on, the Chief Minister’s recent review meeting revealed shortcomings within the police department. He said the Maharashtra police entering Karnataka to pursue drug cases has raised questions about the effectiveness of the local police.
He claimed the drug ring involved about 180 individuals, extended into prisons and had the complicity of the police. “Police stations have become offices of Congress,” he noted, arguing that law enforcement has become selective and influenced by money and political connections.
He cited the case of Congress leader Rajeev Gowda from Sidlaghatta, who he said was not arrested despite repeated demands. He also alleged that a female official was threatened in Varuna – the Chief Minister’s constituency – alleged similar incidents across districts and alleged that MLAs and local strongmen intimidated the officials.
“The chief minister has lost control of the administration,” Mr. Ashok said, adding that the government was in a “paralyzed state”.
Published – 18 Jan 2026 22:38 IST
