In a turn of events that has ignited new controversy in Karnataka politics, Congress MLA and veteran party leader Raju Kage on Monday publicly criticized his own party's government, venting serious frustration over government inaction at the administrative level in his constituency and leaving the door open to resigning.
"I may resign from the party," Kage declared, a statement that soon triggered political discourse.
Already reeling from fallout over Congress MLA B.R. Patil's sensational bribery allegations in allotments of houses, the state government led by the Congress now finds itself hit by fresh criticism, this time from within its own party.
Kage, who is the MLA from the Kagawada Assembly constituency of Belagavi district, expressed his displeasure while speaking to media personnel at Ainapura village. "Special grants have been approved for my constituency," he told reporters. "Two years ago, ₹25 crore was allocated for development works, but no work order has been given."
He didn't hesitate in his criticism, stating, "No officer in this government is working. Administration has broken down under the Congress government."
"Why release funds if orders for work are not given?" Kage asked. "It won't be a surprise if I quit within the next two days after seeing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah."
Comparing the situation to MLA B.R. Patil's recent stand, Kage further stated, "My plight is worse than that of senior Congress MLA B.R. Patil, who spoke out against the housing project scam. I am now confronted with the likelihood of having to resign from my MLA seat.
He also supported Patil's accusations of irregularities in the housing scheme. "I am most disappointed that no work orders have been made to implement development projects. What MLA B.R. Patil has said is not untrue, it is true," Kage claimed.
Earlier, B.R. Patil had accused beneficiaries under the housing scheme of being chosen through bribery, and charged officials with excluding him from the decision-making process.
Responding to the emerging crisis, BJP MP and erstwhile Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar stated that the charges levelled by Kage and Patil were proof of the endemic corruption of the Congress government. "Congress MLAs Raju Kage and B.R. Patil's statements are evidence to the same," he stated.
Shettar went on, "The Congress government is cheating people. They make announcements of money and schemes, but no work orders are given. Raju Kage was previously with the BJP and knows what was the modus operandi of the former BJP governments."
Joining Shettar's critique, BJP MP and former CM Basavaraj Bommai, in Haveri, said, "There is zero development. Corruption permeates official transfers at all levels. The morale of honest officers has totally collapsed.
He further pointed out the widening divide in the party in power. "Even Congress MLAs are now raising their voices against scams. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is unconcerned about it. Ministers are sending letters, but there is no coordination between the cabinet and MLAs. Plainly, their complaints are being overlooked," Bommai added.
He also cited delays in the release of aid, stating, "There has been no compensation for people whose homes have been destroyed by recent rains. There is public anger and protests are inevitable."
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has told BJP state leaders to get ready for a statewide agitation, Bommai stated. "A strategy meeting will be conducted soon to finalise the timing and format of protest," he added.
Allegations of widespread corruption under the existing regime were also made again. "Contractors are complaining that the commission rate has reached 60 per cent. Even excise contractors are expressing frustration. Smart meter scam is just the recent example. But the Congress government goes on without any shame," Bommai concluded.
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