DK Shivakumar Slams BJP Over Karnataka Excise Scam Allegations

Political tensions in Karnataka escalated sharply on Wednesday after Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar launched a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of deliberately attempting to defame a Dalit minister through what he described as baseless allegations of a massive excise scam.

The controversy centres on claims made by the BJP that the Congress-led government in Karnataka is involved in a Rs 6,000 crore irregularity linked to the excise department. The opposition has alleged that bribes were collected in exchange for issuing bar licences, calling the matter a large-scale corruption racket and demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation along with the resignation of Excise Minister R. B. Timmapur.

Responding to the allegations, Shivakumar rejected the charges outright, describing them as politically motivated and aimed at damaging the reputation of a minister from a marginalised community. “They are just trying to defame a Dalit minister, that’s all,” he said, asserting that the BJP was using unsubstantiated claims to create political controversy rather than address governance issues.

The Congress leadership has closed ranks around the excise minister, insisting that the accusations lack evidence and are being amplified to distract from the BJP’s own failures. Senior leaders in the ruling party said the allegations were based on selective interpretations and statements that do not establish wrongdoing by the government.

The BJP, however, has intensified its offensive, accusing the Indian National Congress government of turning the state into what it termed an “ATM for the Congress high command.” Party leaders have argued that the scale of the alleged scam warrants an independent central investigation, claiming that public funds and regulatory processes were compromised.

The row gained momentum after references were made to complaints and representations allegedly submitted by sections of the Karnataka Wine Merchants Association, which the BJP says point to irregularities in licensing and fee collection. Congress leaders countered this by stating that the association’s claims were being selectively cited and exaggerated for political mileage.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also dismissed the allegations, stating that the government has nothing to hide and that opposition leaders are manufacturing scandals ahead of upcoming political battles. He reiterated that if any procedural issues exist, they would be examined through appropriate institutional mechanisms rather than politically driven probes.

Political observers note that excise policy has long been a sensitive issue in Karnataka, given the revenue it generates for the state and the frequent allegations that surface around licensing processes. The current confrontation reflects a broader pattern of intense political polarisation, with corruption allegations and counter-allegations becoming central to opposition strategy.

As the war of words continues, the controversy is expected to dominate the state’s political discourse in the coming days. While the BJP presses for resignations and investigations, the Congress maintains that the claims are designed to erode public trust and divert attention from governance priorities.

With both sides hardening their positions, the excise scam allegations have become the latest flashpoint in Karnataka’s increasingly confrontational political landscape.