In a fiery critique, Karnataka BJP’s R Ashok has called out Rahul Gandhi for his conspicuous silence on the burgeoning Rs 2,500 crore liquor scam in the state’s excise department. Speaking in Bengaluru on Friday, the Opposition Leader in the Assembly accused Gandhi of selective outrage, thriving on national file-waving spectacles but ignoring scandals in Congress-ruled Karnataka.
‘Rahul Gandhi turns Parliament into a stage, waving files and alleging the country is being sold,’ Ashok remarked. ‘He acts as judge, jury, and accountant for the nation, but Karnataka’s excise files? Crickets.’ This hypocrisy, he argued, exposes Gandhi’s priorities.
Details of the scam reveal forced ‘monthly collections’ from liquor shops, with BJP citing arrests of key officials and audio evidence implicating Minister RB Timmapur. A complaint has reached the Lokayukta, yet the government refuses investigation. Ashok targeted CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, asking if they’ve transformed Karnataka into a Congress fundraising machine, sidelining public good for party funds.
Public sentiment is shifting, with locals questioning Karnataka’s betrayal amid Gandhi’s broader ‘sell-out’ narrative. Ashok challenged Siddaramaiah’s transparency claims: ‘You say your life is an open book, but these allegations and proofs beg explanation. Why stay silent amid rampant illegality?’
As BJP pushes for accountability, the scandal unfolds with new twists, including official detentions and damning recordings. This could reshape Karnataka’s political landscape, forcing Congress into defense mode while highlighting rifts in opposition unity. The ball is in Rahul Gandhi’s court—will he break his silence?