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Home Minister dismisses corruption claims, says evidence is key as BJP protests continue
BENGALURU
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday rejected the corruption allegations levelled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Excise Minister RB Timmapur, asserting that accusations cannot be accepted unless they are backed by proof. His remarks came amid continued protests by the BJP inside the Vidhana Soudha, demanding Timmapur’s resignation.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the allegations made by the opposition were yet to be substantiated. “It is only an allegation. Allegations can’t be accepted unless proved. Evidence is what matters,” he said. He also noted that the government is seeking to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing the VB-G-RAM-G Act.
Excise Minister RB Timmapur, responding to calls for his resignation, maintained that there was no evidence to support the charges against him. “There is no evidence. Therefore, I will not resign,” he said firmly, dismissing the BJP’s demands as politically motivated.
The Congress leadership rallied behind Timmapur, with Minister Priyank Kharge strongly criticising the BJP for what he termed a lack of credible proof. Kharge accused the opposition of “playing to the gallery” and challenged BJP leaders to produce concrete evidence. “If they can show even one shred of evidence, we are willing to take responsibility,” he said, adding that repeated allegations without proof only weakened democratic discourse.
Meanwhile, BJP legislators intensified their agitation against the Congress government, continuing an overnight protest inside the Vidhana Soudha. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, along with several party MLAs, spent the night within the Assembly premises as part of their sit-in, which entered its second day on Wednesday.
Ashoka alleged large-scale corruption in the Excise Department and claimed that the BJP had submitted evidence to support its charges. “There are audios and videos. I have provided all the evidence in the Assembly. This is the biggest loot in Karnataka,” he told reporters, vowing to continue the protest until the minister steps down.
The agitation also found support from the Janata Dal (Secular), with JD(S) leader CB Suresh Babu joining the chorus against the government. He accused the Congress of indecision and said the opposition had been consistently demanding Timmapur’s resignation over the past two days.
With the political temperature rising inside the Assembly, the standoff between the government and the opposition shows no signs of easing, as both sides dig in over the issue of accountability and proof.