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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
B.R. Patil wants Siddaramaiah to lead campaign for MSP legal guarantee
Aland MLA and Deputy Chairman of Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission (KSPPC) B.R. Patil has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to lead a campaign at the national level demanding legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce. Addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi on Wednesday, Mr. Patil said that Mr. Siddaramaiah made his political debut through a farm movement and also comes from an agricultural background. He should continue to be the voice of farmers and press the Union government to enact a law for guaranteed buying of their crops at MSP. Welcoming Mr. Siddaramaiah's decision to withdraw a move to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile agricultural land in 13 villages of Channarayapatna hobli of Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural district, Mr. Patil reiterated that the Congress is standing by farmers to protect their interest and it will continue to support them. The BJP government during its tenure in 2010 acquired 1,500 acres of agricultural land in the villages of Honna Kiranagi, Nadi Sinnur and Firozabad in Kalaburagi district for establishing a thermal power plant. But it failed to bring any mega project or industry, he said. Mr. Patil demanded that the government establish an agriculture university on the acquired land.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Another BR Patil audio leak, this time targeting chief minister Siddaramaiah, embarrasses Karnataka Congress
Mandya/Bengaluru: A leaked phone conversation featuring senior Congress MLA BR Patil, who is also deputy chairman of Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, has triggered fresh controversy in Karnataka Congress, with the legislator crediting himself for introducing chief minister Siddaramaiah to Sonia Gandhi, and suggesting the former's rise was thanks to "luck" and "planetary alignment". The video conversation, allegedly recorded during Patil's recent visit to KR Pet in Mandya, captures his frank admissions and veiled frustrations. Patil, a four-time legislator and MLA for Aland, is heard saying: "Siddaramaiah won the lottery. I was the one who first introduced him to Sonia Gandhi, but his stars aligned and he became CM." He repeats the statement later in the conversation, claiming Siddaramaiah's "fate was good, so he got the position, but I remained unlucky". You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Using the Kannada term Grahachara (planetary alignment), Patil implies it was fate, not merit, that led to Siddaramaiah's elevation. "See, we don't have a godfather, in fact, there's neither 'god' nor 'father' for us," he adds, highlighting his sense of political marginalisation. Patil was earlier appointed as political adviser to the CM in an apparent effort to pacify him after he was overlooked for a cabinet berth. However, he resigned from that role citing some problems and was later made deputy chairman of the policy and planning commission. This isn't the first time Patil has been embroiled in a controversy over leaked audio. He had previously acknowledged that his voice featured in another clip relating to irregularities in housing allotments. The latest leak comes amid growing dissent in state Congress. All India Congress Committee general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala is currently in Bengaluru to oversee damage control by meeting party MLAs. Patil met Surjewala on Monday, but the timing of his comments has kicked off another round of speculation. During the call, Patil also confirms having met Surjewala: "I met Surjewala and he listened to me seriously. Let us see what happens. He looked into everything and even said he was grateful to me. He mentioned he wasn't aware of these issues earlier. Now, I've left it to the high command and the chief minister. The high command will take the final decision." Later on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said he was indeed lucky and hence holds the CM's post. "Yes, I'm lucky. That's why I became chief minister," he told reporters when asked about Patil's comments. Siddaramaiah was among the eight MLAs, including Patil, who quit the JD(S) and joined Congress back in 2006. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Lack of funds has put Karnataka MLAs in a spot, Congress leaders feel
The issue of Congress legislators going public and embarrassing the Siddaramaiah-led government over 'slow-paced development' and alleged corruption in the Housing Department, is not being viewed as isolated cases within the party. After Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Chairman and Aland legislator B.R. Patil alleged corruption in the distribution of houses and violation of protocol, it was the turn of Bharamagounda (Raju) Kage, Congress legislator from Kagwad, on Monday. He not only extended his support to Mr. Patil, but also threatened to resign. 'Mr. Patil is right in saying about corruption and slow progress of work in some departments. Even I am upset at the slow pace of development,' Mr. Kage, chairperson of North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation ( NWKRTC), told reporters in Belagavi. Providing an example, he said: 'The State government approved construction of 75 community halls at a cost of ₹13 crore in Kagwad. Even after two years, it has not issued work order. How long can we tolerate? People are scolding us over the slow pace of work. It is difficult to face the people in my constituency. It will not be surprising if I resign in a few days.' Multiple sources in the Congress and the government acknowledged that some of the legislators were facing the heat in constituencies over the lack of funds, especially to undertake road repair works or other small works. 'It is difficult to face the people when you don't have funds to undertake small pothole filling work. The problem is not widespread among the legislators but restricted to some constituencies,' a senior Minister said. 'Shortage of funds is not the case across the State. When funds are not available for small works, legislators face the heat. This will be controlled by the Chief Minister, who may allocate funds required in such constituencies.' Another Minister said: 'Legislators know that a good portion of money is going towards pre-poll assurances (guarantees). In fact, they owe their victory to these assurances. No doubt there is pressure on development, but such public outbursts are not good.' Resignation sought Meanwhile, urging Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan to resign after allegations of corruption against him surfaced, party legislator from Sagar Belur Gopalkrishna said: 'The issue is serious since a senior legislator has made the allegation. In the past whenever allegations were made, the Ministers would resign. Similarly, the Minister concerned should resign and face an inquiry. If proved innocent, he could be re-inducted in the Cabinet.' KPCC sources said that the party and the Housing Minister had been embarrassed by Mr. Patil on the housing issue, and it does not augur well for the party because the houses were meant for the poor. While a section of leaders are viewing their public posture as a result of a lack of funds for development works, a few others are assessing the public outburst that could be tied to a possible Cabinet reshuffle in the future. 'Legislators might be speaking strategically to suit their needs too,' another Minister felt. CM to meet Patil on June 25 Battling dissatisfaction among the legislators over grants and allegations of corruption in allotment of houses, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he would meet Aland legislator B.R. Patil on Wednesday to gather information on housing issues, while he said he would also also speak to Kagwad MLA Raju Kage to understand the problem in the constituency. 'I will hold discussions with Mr. Kage besides prioritising the constituencies for special grants,' he told reporters in Raichur. On legislator from Sagar Belur Gopalkrishna's demand for the Housing Minister's resignation, the Chief Minister said: 'I will gather further details.' Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier said in Bengaluru that the Chief Minister and Mr. Ahmed Khan will respond on the issue.
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Admin has failed in Karnataka': Congress MLA Raju Kage threatens to quit, backs BR Patil's allegations on housing graft
Karnataka Congress MLA Raju Kage threatened to resign Monday, complaining of a lack of funds for development works and backed his party colleague B R Patil's allegations that houses under government schemes were being allotted in exchange for bribes. The four-time Congress MLA from Kagwad constituency alleged that the 'administration has completely failed in Karnataka.' His primary grouse was the delay in the release of Rs 13 crore meant for community halls in his constituency. 'It has been two years since the chief minister's special grant of Rs 25 crore was allocated (for Kagwad). Rs 12 crore was spent on roads, while Rs 13 crore was for community halls. In two years, have they released the Rs 13 crore? When did we give the proposal? Works orders have not been issued till now,' he said, asking whether it took two years for the government to release funds and take up works. 'The administration has completely failed in Karnataka. I am hurt. I am inclined towards resigning (as MLA). If I meet the CM in two days and resign, it won't be a surprise,' the MLA said. He also defended allegations by MLA Patil, the deputy chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, on corruption in housing schemes. In a leaked call with Housing Minister Zameer Khan's personal assistant Sarfaraz Khan, Patil was heard saying that houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation were allotted in return for bribes in his Aland constituency. The names of beneficiaries recommended by him were not considered while allotting around 950 houses, Patil had said. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar later condemned Patil's remarks and said that he and the chief minister will take up the matter with Patil. 'Whatever BR Patil said is not a lie. It's the truth,' Kage said on Monday, adding that he faced the same situation in his constituency. The remarks come at a time when the Congress government has been cornered over corruption allegations in connection with the Valmiki corporation and the allocation of sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Responding to the remarks, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would talk to Kage about his concerns. To a question on the special grant not being released, the chief minister said, 'Is there anything called CM's special fund in the budget? Whatever grants we give are called special grants. There is nothing called CM's grant.' Karnataka BJP, meanwhile, took to X to highlight that a ruling party legislator has threatened to resign by saying that the Congress government was not releasing grants for the development of his constituency. 'The biggest challenge for the Siddaramaiah government now is to quell the anger of its own party MLAs,' the BJP said, accusing the government of failing to provide justice to its legislators. Kage, a five-time MLA, had joined the Congress after leaving the BJP in 2019. Having won his first election on a Janata Dal (United) ticket in 2000, he was subsequently elected as a BJP legislator thrice – in 2004, 2008 and 2013. He won on a Congress ticket in 2023.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Poojary seeks Khan's resignation over alleged corruption in house allotments
Seeking the resignation of Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan over alleged corruption in house allotments, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, said on Sunday that the corruption charges made by senior Congress MLA B.R. Patil reflect a betrayal of the poor by the State government. Addressing presspersons in Udupi the MP said that Mr. Patil's allegation that officials linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation demanded bribes of ₹10,000 for house allotments is a serious matter and State government should take action against the officials concerned. Mr. Poojary said that Mr. Patil, MLA for Aland and Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, refused to retract his claims because he (Mr. Patil) only spoke what he witnessed. Questioning the silence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the allegation Mr. Poojary threatened that the BJP will launch a State-wide agitation seeking the suspension of corrupt officials if the State government did not investigate the matter. The MP criticised Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for denying the MLA's allegation. Criticising the State government for restricting Hindutva leader Srikanth Shetty from participating in a Shivaji Maharaj event in Bagalkot the MP claimed that there were no serious charges against Srikanth Shetty. 'Using preventive detention in this manner is a dangerous precedent. Why is the government muzzling nationalist voices like Shetty and Sulibele,?' he asked. Referring to the recent statement of Udupi district in charge minister Laxmi Hebbalkar that there was delay in releasing funds under MGNREGA, Mr. Poojary said that the Union government released ₹50.51 crore to Udupi district for 2024-25. The Centre released ₹6.21 crore to the district for April to June, 2025. The annual budget for MGNREGA has grown significantly under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said adding that the daily wage, which was ₹ 155 during the UPA regime, has now been raised to ₹370 under the NDA rule.
