Bharamagounda (Raju) Kage
The issue of Congress legislators going public and embarrassing the Siddaramaiah-led government over “slow-paced development” and alleged corruption in the Housing Department, is not being viewed as isolated cases within the party.
After Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Chairman and Aland legislator B.R. Patil alleged corruption in the distribution of houses and violation of protocol, it was the turn of Bharamagounda (Raju) Kage, Congress legislator from Kagwad, on Monday. He not only extended his support to Mr. Patil, but also threatened to resign. “Mr. Patil is right in saying about corruption and slow progress of work in some departments. Even I am upset at the slow pace of development,” Mr. Kage, chairperson of North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (
NWKRTC), told reporters in Belagavi.
Providing an example, he said: “The State government approved construction of 75 community halls at a cost of ₹13 crore in Kagwad. Even after two years, it has not issued work order. How long can we tolerate? People are scolding us over the slow pace of work. It is difficult to face the people in my constituency. It will not be surprising if I resign in a few days.”
Multiple sources in the Congress and the government acknowledged that some of the legislators were facing the heat in constituencies over the lack of funds, especially to undertake road repair works or other small works.
“It is difficult to face the people when you don’t have funds to undertake small pothole filling work. The problem is not widespread among the legislators but restricted to some constituencies,” a senior Minister said. “Shortage of funds is not the case across the State. When funds are not available for small works, legislators face the heat. This will be controlled by the Chief Minister, who may allocate funds required in such constituencies.”
Another Minister said: “Legislators know that a good portion of money is going towards pre-poll assurances (guarantees). In fact, they owe their victory to these assurances. No doubt there is pressure on development, but such public outbursts are not good.”
Belur Gopalakrishna
Resignation sought
Meanwhile, urging Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan to resign after allegations of corruption against him surfaced, party legislator from Sagar Belur Gopalkrishna said: “The issue is serious since a senior legislator has made the allegation. In the past whenever allegations were made, the Ministers would resign. Similarly, the Minister concerned should resign and face an inquiry. If proved innocent, he could be re-inducted in the Cabinet.”
KPCC sources said that the party and the Housing Minister had been embarrassed by Mr. Patil on the housing issue, and it does not augur well for the party because the houses were meant for the poor.
While a section of leaders are viewing their public posture as a result of a lack of funds for development works, a few others are assessing the public outburst that could be tied to a possible Cabinet reshuffle in the future. “Legislators might be speaking strategically to suit their needs too,” another Minister felt.
CM to meet Patil on June 25
Battling dissatisfaction among the legislators over grants and allegations of corruption in allotment of houses, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he would meet Aland legislator B.R. Patil on Wednesday to gather information on housing issues, while he said he would also also speak to Kagwad MLA Raju Kage to understand the problem in the constituency. “I will hold discussions with Mr. Kage besides prioritising the constituencies for special grants,” he told reporters in Raichur.
On legislator from Sagar Belur Gopalkrishna’s demand for the Housing Minister’s resignation, the Chief Minister said: “I will gather further details.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier said in Bengaluru that the Chief Minister and Mr. Ahmed Khan will respond on the issue.
Published – June 23, 2025 11:10 pm IST
