Bengaluru, 23 Jan

The Opposition BJP on Friday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Excise Minister RB Timmapur, alleging a Rs 2,500-crore scam in the State’s Excise Department, triggering heated scenes in the Assembly.

Raising the issue, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka alleged that bribes collected through liquor licensing were being diverted to fund election expenses in poll-bound states such as Assam and Kerala. He also claimed that liquor licences were being “auctioned” in violation of prescribed norms.

The confrontation began when Speaker UT Khader asked Congress MLA AS Ponnanna to move the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address. Ashoka objected, insisting that his adjournment notice on the alleged excise scam be taken up first. The Speaker ruled that the matter could not be discussed under an adjournment motion and could be taken up later under a different rule.

However, Ashoka and BJP MLA Sunil Kumar demanded that their preliminary submission be heard before the notice was rejected. Following their insistence, the Speaker allowed Ashoka to make a brief submission.

“There is some audio evidence…In the Excise Department, licences are being auctioned off. The Minister and his son’s name have surfaced in the scam. This is said to be the third instance,” Ashoka alleged.

He accused the state government of corruption and said a complaint had been lodged with the Lokayukta. “The complaint has been registered against the Minister. The allegation is not only based on the audio; there is also a formal complaint. This is an important issue and it needs to be discussed,” he said.

Despite assurances from the Speaker that the issue would be discussed later, BJP legislators continued to press for an immediate debate. “There are kickbacks involved. How can discussion on this be delayed?” Sunil Kumar asked. Ashoka reiterated that bribe money was allegedly being collected for elections in Assam and Kerala.

As the House proceeded with scheduled business and Ponnanna moved the motion of thanks, seconded by Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar, BJP members staged a protest demanding the Minister’s resignation. Amid sloganeering, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch.

The BJP cited a recent Lokayukta operation in which Excise Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh Naik, Superintendent Thammanna KM and constable Lakkappa Gani were caught allegedly accepting a Rs 25 lakh bribe. They were accused of demanding Rs 80 lakh to issue a hotel and microbrewery licence.