Contractor Bribe Allegations Haunt Karnataka Congress Ahead of Local Elections

Karnataka’s Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, faces fresh controversy over allegations of rampant corruption in government contracts, just as the party gears up for upcoming local body elections. The Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) has claimed that commission demands for clearing payments to contractors have doubled under the Congress regime, sparking political backlash.

Karnataka Contract Scandal

The allegations strike at the heart of a campaign that helped Congress regain power after BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai government faced similar charges in 2021. Contractors now reportedly face demands of 50% of contract value as a bribe to the government. BJP state president BY Vijayendra stated, “For every ₹100 meant for development, ₹50 is looted by Ministers. Contractors are forced to cut corners, use substandard materials, and compromise on quality. No wonder roads are crumbling and infrastructure is collapsing.”

The KSCA’s signed letter reminded Siddaramaiah of his opposition promise that no commission would be charged if Congress came to power. However, the organization alleged that the government is now collecting 40% to 80% commissions through contractors. According to the letter, institutions like Nirmiti Kendra and the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation are awarding projects to followers of MLAs and party leaders, who then sub-contract them in exchange for cuts. Contractors struggle to maintain project quality under these conditions.

The letter also highlighted that the pending dues for contractors amount to Rs 32,000 crore, with payments released only after massive bribes. The organization warned that the rampant corruption has sharply deteriorated the quality of public projects.

These allegations revive the narrative that troubled the Bommai government, which faced similar complaints in 2021, including a high-profile contractor suicide linked to bribe pressures. During the May 2023 assembly elections, Congress had leveraged these issues to corner the BJP, ultimately winning 135 seats against the BJP’s 65 in the 224-member house.

With local body elections around the corner, the bribe allegations now give opposition parties fresh ammunition against the Siddaramaiah government, putting pressure on the administration to address the claims before they affect voter sentiment.