Karnataka has been plunged into a new political storm following remarks by the state’s Upalokayukta, Justice B. Veerappa, who recently stated at a public event that corruption pervades nearly two-thirds of the state’s administrative sectors. The comments, which quantified the level of corruption in the state at 63 percent, have set off a fierce exchange between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP, with accusations, rebuttals, and calls for investigations dominating the discourse.

Justice Veerappa, who heads Karnataka’s anti-corruption ombudsman office, made the statement on Wednesday at a function attended by senior legal and administrative officials. While his speech aimed to underscore systemic weaknesses and the need for stronger governance measures, political actors quickly seized upon his numbers.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to social media to counter the BJP’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Upalokayukta’s statements. He pointed out that the 63 percent figure cited by Justice Veerappa had previously appeared in a report submitted by the Upalokayukta in 2019, during the BJP government’s tenure. In a pointed post on X, Siddaramaiah wrote that senior BJP leader R. Ashoka had “misunderstood” the statement and attempted to attribute past corruption solely to the current administration, thereby exposing the opposition’s own record.

Siddaramaiah went further, alleging a long history of irregularities during the BJP’s administration. He cited multiple areas of concern, including pandemic procurement procedures, commission payments across various departments, and mismanagement of large-scale irrigation projects. The chief minister also referenced the tragic suicide of contractor Santosh Patil, which he linked to harassment by a former minister, and pointed to the incarceration of several associates in the Police Sub Inspector recruitment scam. “If we start listing all the scams during the BJP era, one could compile an entire epic,” he said.

Highlighting his government’s efforts at transparency, Siddaramaiah stressed reforms in recruitment and transfer procedures. “In our administration, from recruitment to transfers, efforts are underway to ensure complete transparency and prevent any misuse of money or power,” he said, framing these measures as a clear contrast to the alleged mismanagement of the previous regime.

The opposition, however, has pushed back forcefully. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and senior BJP leader R. Ashoka claimed that Justice Veerappa’s remarks substantiate long-standing concerns about corruption under the Congress government. “He (Justice Veerappa) said it at an event alongside other judges and senior advocates. He has alleged that there is corruption in almost all departments; nothing happens without paying commission. Karnataka is now fifth in the country for corruption,” Ashoka asserted.

Ashoka also reminded the public of Congress’ own previous actions. When the BJP raised allegations of a “40 percent commission” during their term, the incoming Congress government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe those claims. “Now, if you have any courage or shame left, constitute a CBI probe into the current allegations against your own government. Let the corruption across departments come out in the open,” he challenged, accusing Siddaramaiah of selective accountability.

On Friday, Ashoka escalated his criticism, charging that the chief minister was evading responsibility. “CM Siddaramaiah, it is one thing to be called foolish in politics; that can be forgiven. But in public life, especially in the chief minister’s chair, one must never become shameless,” he said in a statement.

The BJP leader cited a specific instance involving the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Development Corporation, where Siddaramaiah reportedly acknowledged a ₹87 crore irregularity inside the assembly. “When a chief minister acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the legislature, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability. The decision to remain in office without decisive action is sheer shamelessness,” Ashoka said.

The controversy is further fueled by remarks from Congress MLA and government economic adviser Basavaraja Rayareddy, who has publicly suggested that Karnataka may have become the “No. 1 state in corruption” under the current administration. These statements have compounded public scrutiny and heightened tensions between the two major political parties, as each seeks to frame the narrative around governance and integrity.

Political analysts note that the dispute is emblematic of the broader battles over transparency and accountability in Karnataka. The confrontation underscores the difficulty of disentangling public perception from political maneuvering. While the Upalokayukta’s comments were intended to highlight systemic issues, their politicization illustrates how institutional critiques can quickly become ammunition in partisan battles.

Observers also point out that the debate comes at a politically sensitive time, as Karnataka prepares for upcoming elections and both parties attempt to shape public opinion. The Congress government is keen to defend its record and differentiate itself from the BJP’s past tenure, while the opposition seeks to hold the current administration accountable for lingering issues.

As the public watches, questions about the appropriate mechanisms for investigating allegations of systemic corruption remain central. While the BJP has called for a CBI probe, the chief minister has dismissed this suggestion, arguing that the focus should be on structural reforms rather than politically motivated investigations.

Meanwhile, Justice Veerappa’s office has yet to issue a formal statement clarifying the context of his remarks, leaving room for continued debate over interpretation and intent. Civil society groups and legal commentators have emphasized that accurate understanding of such statements is crucial to ensure that accountability measures are effective and not reduced to partisan sparring.

In Karnataka, the clash over corruption allegations reflects both the enduring challenges of governance and the intense politicization of accountability. As the drama unfolds in the assembly, on social media, and in the press, the central question remains whether the state’s institutions can meaningfully address systemic corruption while navigating the turbulence of political contention.

The Upalokayukta’s comments, intended as a warning about administrative vulnerability, have inadvertently triggered a high-stakes battle between the state’s ruling party and the opposition. In the coming weeks, the debate over investigations, transparency, and accountability is expected to intensify, with political rhetoric, legislative action, and public scrutiny converging in a contest over Karnataka’s governance narrative.