In K'taka Poll Season, Big Bribery Case Puts BJP in Spot | All About MLA Virupakshappa, Son & Rs 8 Cr

Striking images of officials counting piles of cash have spelt trouble for the BJP in Karnataka ahead of assembly elections in the state. Lokayukta officials on Thursday arrested BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Kumar for accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.

The arrest comes at a time when the BJP and the Congress battle it out ahead of elections in the state likely in the next few months. Congress today staged a massive protest in Bengaluru against the ruling BJP Govt in Karnataka. They demanded the arrest of BJP MLA Maadal Virupaksha whose son was caught taking a bribe

Several Congress leaders including former CM Siddaramaiah were also detained by police during their protest. The arrest also gave Congress ammo to attack the saffron party over mounting allegations of corruption in the state. Speaking at the protest site, former CM Siddaramaiah said, “The CM was lying that their government was corruption free. We will take a decision today regarding this.”

Political Subtext

AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday reiterated Congress’ “40 per cent commission government” allegations and said the arrest was proof of it.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the BJP’s stink of corruption has not even spared the ‘Mysore sandal’ soap.

The Congress said it would lay siege to the chief minister’s residence on Race Course Road in Bengaluru on Saturday demanding that Basavaraj Bommai quit his post taking moral responsibility

CM Bommai meanwhile assured that no one would be spared and used the opportunity to and said the trap was proof that the Lokayukta has been “revived” to check corruption unlike the previous Congress regime which created a separate anti-corruption bureau apart from the Lokayukta institution to cover up their wrong deeds.t

Congress demands CM’s resignation

The Congress on Saturday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai following the arrest of Prashanth Kumar M V. The Congress started a poster campaign accusing the ruling BJP in the state of collecting 40 per cent commission on public works.

“It is not enough that you arrested Prashanth Kumar. If they have little shame, you should arrest the MLA Madal Virupakshappa immediately. Basavaraj Bommai should resign taking moral responsibility,” Siddaramaiah said.

The Congress stalwart claimed the BJP government has been lying to the people.

“Your government is plundering the state. Your ministers, chief minister and the chairman of various boards and corporations have been directed to collect a definite amount. According to me, BJP is set to spend Rs 100 crore in each constituency,” Siddaramaiah charged.

Alleging that in the byelections alone, the BJP had spent Rs 40 crore to Rs 50 crore, the former chief minister said the BJP wants to win the election through money power. He appealed to the people to teach the BJP a lesson in the next election.

Siddaramaiah slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for calling the previous Congress government led by him for using Karnataka as “an ATM for a family”.

“You called my government an ATM government. Now, Mr Shah what will you say about this? Without any evidences, you make allegations but here we have a solid proof,” the former chief minister charged.

The Congress leader said former CM B S Yediyurappa was removed from his position because he refused to allow corruption in the administration.

All about BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa

Virupakshappa, a two-time MLA, began his political career with the Congress.

He had joined the BJP ahead of the 2004 Assembly polls, but it wasn’t until 2008 that he emerged victorious for the first time for the BJP.

Virupakshappa later followed BS Yediyurappa and joined his Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) party. After failing to secure a seat in the 2014 polls, he made a comeback in the BJP with Yediyurappa. He won the Channagiri seat in 2018 on a BJP ticket.

Virupakshappa reportedly has three sons: Madal Mallikarjun, Prashanth Madal and Raju Madal

After battling heart-related disorders, Virupakshappa had decided to field his son Madal Mallikarjun from the constituency as a BJP nominee in the upcoming Assembly polls. Mallikarjun is also a member of the Davangere University Syndicate. He has reportedly addressed public grievances in the constituency on behalf of his father and has identified himself as the successor of his father.

Virupakshappa is also the chairman of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures the famous soap brand ‘Mysore Sandal Soap’.

Following the arrest of his son Prashanth, he resigned from the post and alleged that there was a conspiracy being hatched against him and his family

In the FIR that has been registered, Virupakshappa is accused number one and his son is the second accused.

Prashanth Kumar Caught ‘Red Handed’

Kumar worked as the Chief Accountant of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Prashanth Kumar, a 2008 batch Karnataka Administrative Services officer, was reportedly caught accepting a bribe from a contractor for awarding a deal to purchase raw materials required to manufacture soap and other detergents.

At least Rs 8 crore was recovered from Kumar’s residence during raids by Lokayukta officials.

Prashanth had reportedly demanded a Rs 80 lakh bribe in connection with a tender process and was caught while accepting Rs 40 lakh at his office. Prashanth was allegedly receiving the ‘first installment’ of the bribe on behalf of his father, according to Lokayukta sources, reports PTI.

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice (Retd) B S Patil said today Rs 2.02 crore was recovered from the KSDL office during the search and Rs 6.1 crore from Prashanth’s house, totally.

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