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India Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
JD(S) leader lauds Congress MLAs for slamming own party over corruption claims
Janata Dal (S) MLA and floor leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly CB Suresh Babu has written letters of appreciation to three Congress MLAs — BR Patil, Raju Kage, and Belur Gopalkrishna — commending them for publicly criticising their own government over corruption in the Housing his letter to Congress MLA BR Patil, who is also the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Suresh Babu lauded the MLA for raising his voice in the Karnataka Assembly against the Congress-led government, despite being part of the ruling party. Describing the act as a 'very significant stance', Babu said it reflected democratic values and the responsibilities of elected June 20, an audio clip allegedly featuring Congress MLA BR Patil surfaced, in which he accuses officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation of large-scale corruption, including bribery in house allotments. Patil, also Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Commission, claimed his recommendations were ignored in favour of those who paid bribes. The clip, reportedly a conversation with Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan's aide Sarfaraz Khan, triggered political backlash. The letter further read, 'All of us who are elected under the democratic system are committed to fulfilling our duties for the development, progress, and overall upliftment of the people. Today, on behalf of your constituency's citizens, you have raised your voice against your own government regarding corruption in the Housing Department, even as a member of the ruling party. This is a very significant stance and is in alignment with the spirit of democracy.' advertisementSuresh Babu further added that all MLAs from the Janata Dal (Secular) 'morally support' Patil's 'pro-people fight' and said his actions 'strengthen the ideals of the Constitution and enhance its dignity'.The JD(S) leader addressed similar letters to Raju Kage and Belur Gopalkrishna, who had also spoken out on the issue. On June 23, Congress MLA Raju Kage threatened to resign over delays in implementing a Rs 25 crore development grant sanctioned two years ago for his Kagwad constituency. Kage expressed frustration over the lack of work orders and supported fellow MLA BR Patil, who alleged corruption in housing allotments. On the same day, MLC Belur Gopalkrishna demanded the resignation of Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan following corruption allegations levelled by Congress MLA BR Patil. Speaking to the media, Gopalkrishna said a fair investigation was only possible if the Minister stepped down. 'A senior MLA has made serious accusations. The concerned Minister should resign and face a probe,' he call followed the leak of an audio clip in which Patil alleged bribes were taken for house allotments under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, and that his recommendations were ignored in favour of those who paid letters have drawn attention in political circles, highlighting growing tensions within the Congress over allegations of corruption in key departments and the rare instance of ruling party legislators being acknowledged by Opposition members for dissent.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Housing department under scanner amid graft charges Over 21 lakh still homeless in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Allegations of corruption within Karnataka's housing department have reignited public outrage after senior Congress MLA BR Patil recently accused officials of demanding bribes for house allotments. The charges have put the department in the spotlight, especially as delays and irregularities in implementing housing schemes for the underprivileged continue to draw criticism. Patil's remarks have sparked debate within his own party, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the housing sector. The housing department is responsible for providing affordable shelter to the economically weaker sections through various schemes such as Basava Housing, Devraj Urs Housing, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Niwas, Vajpayee Urban Housing, and the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). These programs are aimed at helping both rural and urban homeless populations to secure decent living conditions. However, delays in house allotments and allegations of bribery have cast a shadow over their effectiveness. The controversy has also intensified following the recent state Cabinet decision to increase the reservation for minorities in housing allotments from 10% to 15%. The government defended this move, stating that it was based on reports identifying the scale of homelessness, and followed Central guidelines. However, critics argue that such policy changes need more transparency and better execution on the ground. According to government data, Karnataka has an estimated 21,21,236 homeless people, as per surveys conducted in 2018 (for rural areas) and 2016–17 (for urban areas). Of this, 18,19,049 are from rural regions and 3,02,187 are from urban areas. Despite this massive need, the housing department's progress remains slow. Under various housing schemes, a total of 6,29,961 houses have been sanctioned in the state, of which 3,63,769 are currently under construction. In urban areas, 42,538 houses were sanctioned, and 37,303 are in progress. Under the 2024-25 PMAY-Gramin scheme, the central government allocated a target of 7,02,731 houses for Karnataka. However, only 1,80,571 beneficiaries—about 26%—have been identified so far, leaving a gap of 5,22,160. From 2022-23 to 2024-25, the state and central governments together sanctioned 2,41,519 houses and issued construction orders. Notably, no new housing targets have been announced for 2023-24 and 2024-25 under state schemes. In 2022-23, the state had approved 58,172 houses under various schemes. Despite growing demand, the department has failed to accelerate the pace of approvals and beneficiary to criticism, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said, 'We haven't allocated new houses in the last four years. I brought this to the Chief Minister's attention and requested an announcement in the budget. While he agreed, the Finance Department did not give its nod. Currently, construction is underway for around 9 lakh homes. We plan to complete these before taking up new allocations.' As over 21 lakh people continue to live without proper shelter in Karnataka, the housing department faces mounting pressure to fix its inefficiencies. With corruption allegations now coming from within the ruling party, the government's response in the coming months could prove decisive in shaping the state's housing policy and public trust in welfare governance.
India Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Karnataka Minister denies housing board scam claims, promises to resign if guilty
Karnataka Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday dismissed allegations of corruption linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, describing them as 'baseless' and accusing the BJP of engaging in political to a viral audio clip that purportedly features Congress MLA BR Patil alleging widespread corruption in the allotment of houses under the scheme, the Minister said that the senior legislator had not made any specific charges against him or his the allegations against me are baseless. BR Patil is a respected and senior leader. He has not said anything about me in the audio. If you hear it properly, you will see he has not blamed anyone. I was out of station and have just returned to Bengaluru. I will speak to him and understand what the issue is,' Khan said. The Minister emphasised that if there were any wrongdoing on his part, he would step down without hesitation. 'If we snatch the rights of the poor, what will our children think? If anything is proved wrong, then you need not tell me, I will resign myself. I am not a greedy man. During HD Kumaraswamy's tenure, I resigned from a post over an event. That is the kind of person I am,' he the allegations as politically motivated, Khan added, 'BJP has no other business. They are only doing politics. Patil (referring to the Housing Corporation) has not said anything about me. If there is any proof, then we can see what action can be taken.'He also spoke about the allocations made under his ministry, claiming that the current Congress government was prioritising development. 'Earlier, I did not get any grants. Now, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, we are receiving Rs 400 crore. Every district is seeing development work. Who said we do not have money?'Sarfaraz Khan, personal assistant to the Minister, who is believed to be part of the audio clip, said there was no corruption charge against him either. 'He (Patil) is a very senior politician, and we have a personal relationship. He called me and said in Hindi that such things are happening in the department and that action must be taken. Then the audio got released,' Sarfaraz his role, he added, 'I am a private sector ministerial adviser. I only handle information and communication. What happens in the department is for inquiry. If someone has taken bribes, serious action will be taken. Last time, in one case, a person was removed within a minute. That is the kind of action we support.'advertisementSarfaraz insisted that there had been no house allotments in question and assured that any genuine complaint would be addressed. 'There is no charge of corruption because ministers are frequently checked. As a bureaucrat, I can say we will look into this.'Meanwhile, BR Patil clarified that he had not accused any Minister of wrongdoing. 'I have not taken any individual's name. I have spoken about Sarfaraz, our Housing Minister's private secretary. Have I made any allegations against the Minister?' Patil said.'I have only said it (corruption) took place in Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. Let it be investigated.' His clarification comes amid a political storm in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress government of large-scale corruption and calling for the resignation of both Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Karnataka MLA Raju Kage backs BR Patil's allegations of housing scam, says
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], June 24 (ANI): The divisions in the Siddaramiah-led Karnataka government are now out in the open. Congress MLA Raju Kage on Tuesday slammed his government as he backed the allegations raised by party leader BR Patil regarding alleged irregularities in allotment of houses. Kage said that it 'wouldn't be surprising' if he resigns within 2 days. 'What BR Patil said is true... The same situation is being created for me too... It wouldn't be surprising if I submit my resignation to the CM in the next two days', Kage told ANI. He claimed that government officials are not working properly and that the administrative system in the state has failed. 'Officials are not working properly in our government. The Chief Minister's special grant has been sanctioned. Rs 25 crore was granted, but even after two years, the work order has not been issued. The administrative system in our state has completely failed. Because of this, I am deeply hurt. Even I am in a situation where I might resign,' he added. BR Patil had earlier levelled serious allegations against the Housing Board, stating that houses under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme are allotted only when bribes are paid. According to Patil, he is supposed to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tomorrow (June 25) after the latter invited him for a meeting, possibly to discuss the allegations raised. Patil acknowledged that it was his voice in the audio clip that went viral on social media, where a phone conversation purportedly between Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant (PA) to Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, has brought the Congress government under fire due to allegations of irregularities in the housing allotment. 'The CM called me for a meeting. I will meet him on the evening of June 25. He asked me where I was and whether I was coming to Raichur. He asked me to meet him. He did not ask me anything about the audio. I have owned that it was my voice,' Patil told reporters here. Earlier today, another Congress MLA, Sivaganga Basavaraj, expressed dissatisfaction with the government, claiming that while thousands of crores of projects were inaugurated, the work is not being completed without bribes. He, however, did not agree with CR Patil publicly raising the issue, whereas it should have been done during the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet. 'Thousands of crores of work have been launched in Davangere. It is not possible to launch the work without money, but everything is fine. Some elders have spoken; they should not have spoken to the media. all this can be discussed in the CLP meet,' the MLA said. Talking about the allegations raised by BR Patil, he added, 'They should not have spoken like that. They should speak during the CLP meeting. I have seen who does not speak at the CLP meeting. They sit quietly in the meeting and speak against the government in the media outside.' (ANI)
News18
24-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Unable To Construct…': Karnataka MLA Slams Own Government Over Development Failures
Last Updated: In public outburst, the Molakalmuru MLA expressed deep frustration against Siddaramaiah-led government, citing the lack of basic development in his constituency. In a dramatic escalation of internal dissent, ruling Congress MLA NY Gopalakrishna hit out at his party's own state government over alleged development failures. In public outburst, the Molakalmuru MLA expressed deep frustration against Siddaramaiah-led government, citing the lack of basic development in his constituency. While addressing a gathering, Gopalakrishna said that despite being an MLA, he hasn't been able to get a drainage system built, or construct a road, or even build a good school in his constituency. 'Initially, I thought, what foolishness starting a company in a village like this. Despite being an MLA, I haven't been able to get a drainage system built, or construct a road, or even build a good school in my constituency. In such a situation, I wondered how they could possibly run a company like this successfully in the village," he said. BJP Takes Jibe At Siddaramaiah Govt The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the state government over the MLA's allegations and said that Gopalakrishna's remarks are the clear admission of Congress's failure in the state. 'Yet another clear admission of Congress's failure. If their own MLAs feel this helpless, what hope do the people of Karnataka have? This is not governance. This is pure incompetence," the BJP's state unit said in a post on X. PTI reported. Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Kage expressed deep frustration over the lack of progress on development projects in his constituency. 'The administration in the entire state has collapsed. I am hurt. I'm seriously considering resigning," he said. 'It won't be surprising if I meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the next two days and submit my resignation." He also threw his weight behind fellow Congress MLA BR Patil of Aland, who recently accused the state government of deep-rooted corruption in public works. 'I stand with BR Patil. Whatever he said is true," Kage said. Additionally, Karnataka Congress MLC Belur Gopalkrishna has called for the resignation of Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan following allegations of irregularities in the Housing Board, levelled by fellow Congress MLA BR Patil. A purported audio clip of Patil has surfaced in which he has accused the officials linked to the state's Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation of large-scale corruption. The clip, reportedly between the Congress legislator and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant to Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, has sparked controversy. In the audio clip, claimed that officials systematically demanded bribes for house allocations. He said that houses under the scheme were allotted only to those who paid bribes, and legitimate recommendations from elected officials like himself were ignored. Patil expressed frustration that his official recommendations for house allotments were consistently bypassed in favor of selections made by Gram Panchayat presidents who allegedly made monetary payments to officials. First Published: June 24, 2025, 13:07 IST
