Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from Karnataka on Monday alleged that ruling Congress leaders in the state were involved in “fundraising” for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the activity had led to corruption. The accusations were strongly rejected by the state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D K Shivakumar. BJP MPs Jagadish Shettar and B Y Raghavendra made the allegations during media interactions in their constituencies, highlighting what they described as systemic collection of funds by Congress ministers in Karnataka to support their party’s prospects in Bihar. BJP alleges corruption in fundraising Raghavendra claimed that all ministers in the state cabinet were involved in collecting money through officials, under the guise of various transactions, to channel funds to Bihar. “All ministers in the cabinet have been looting through officials to send funds for Bihar polls. Officials have been asked to collect money. After gathering money from transfers, now it is being done in the name of renewals. All ministers are collecting money for Bihar polls. It has become their main business,” he said while addressing reporters in Shivamogga. Shettar echoed similar concerns, suggesting that the alleged fundraising had created a culture of corruption within the Congress-led state government. Congress leaders reject allegations Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly refuted the claims, asserting that no funds had been sent to Bihar for poll-related purposes. “They (BJP) were doing it, now they are accusing us of it. Not even 5 paise has been given to the poll-bound north Indian state,” Siddaramaiah said. D K Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister, also questioned the BJP’s claims, asking the party to produce evidence to substantiate their accusations. “If they have evidence, let them show it. Otherwise, these are baseless allegations meant to malign the state government,” he added. Political context The allegations come ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, where political parties across India are closely monitoring campaigning and fundraising activities. The BJP has often accused opposition parties of misusing government machinery for election purposes, while Congress leaders have consistently rejected such claims as politically motivated. The Bihar elections, scheduled for November, have become a focal point for national parties, with leaders from different states actively participating in campaigning and organisational support. Karnataka’s ruling party, as per BJP MPs’ allegations, was allegedly involved in contributing to this effort financially, raising concerns of inter-state political influence and governance ethics. While BJP MPs continue to level allegations of corruption and fundraising against the Karnataka Congress, the state government has firmly denied any wrongdoing. The issue highlights the growing tensions between BJP and Congress as both parties gear up for high-stakes Assembly elections in Bihar, with national attention focused on ethical campaigning and transparency in political funding.
