Political tensions have escalated in Karnataka following serious allegations of bribery involving the state's minority rights. The accusations center around B.Y. Vijayendra, the Karnataka BJP President, who is accused of offering Rs. 150 crore to Anwar Manipaddy, the former Chairman of the Karnataka State Minority Commission, to suppress a report on encroachments of Waqf land by certain politicians.
The controversy first burst onto the assembly floor when Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, IT, and BT, claimed during the assembly session last week, "Vijayendra is responsible for offering Rs. 150 crore to suppress the report on the Waqf scam case and owes an explanation." This claim quickly drew passionate rebuttals from Vijayendra, who responded, "Minister Kharge made serious allegations in my absence. Chief minister Siddaramaiah echoed this claim... But it was the Congress govt under Siddaramaiah's leadership…"
The heated debate led to allegations flying fast and thick across party lines as Vijayendra challenged the Congress government to forward the investigation of the Waqf scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "I am glad to see the CM has finally expressed confidence in the CBI, an agency he had previously accused of bias and targeting Opposition leaders," Vijayendra stated, emphasizing not only his innocence but also the potential complicity of Congress leaders.
This political drama interrupts the backdrop of long-standing encroachments of Waqf properties, brought to light by the 2012 Manippady report, which implicated numerous Congress leaders. It is reported to estimate illegal allocation of over 27,000 acres of Waqf land, primarily by politicians affiliated with the ruling party.
At the core of the controversy, Vijayendra expressed bafflement over the accusations against him, saying, "Why would I try to bribe Manippady to buy his silence when the Yediyurappa government had constituted the Manippady committee to survey the Waqf properties?" He continued to deflect the scrutiny by attempting to shift focus back on the Congress leaders by questioning their integrity and generosity with public office.
Kharge defended his position vehemently, stating, “The BJP has been discussing the Waqf issue for the past week. They are speaking without any evidence, documentation, or proof. Their only intention is to mislead people.” This claim was bolstered by the release of video footage, purportedly showing Manipaddy reveal his experiences with Vijayendra’s alleged bribes. Kharge insisted, "Video evidence and media reports clearly indicate Vijayendra tried to bribe Manippady," asserting the BJP President’s lack of integrity.
While the debate raged on, the atmosphere inside the assembly hall became charged. Members from both the ruling and opposition benches stood up to support their respective leaders, leading to heated exchanges and interruptions from Speaker U.T. Khader, who urged for calm amid the bedlam. Opposition Leader R. Ashoka intervened, accusing Kharge of violating the House rules during his allegations, which he eventually defended by stating they were based on journalistic reports.
The allegations gained momentum as public scrutiny intensified. Former Minority Commission Chairman Anwar Manipaddy, named prominently, has also waded through the political quagmire by stating the accusations made by the Chief Minister should also be directed back at Congress leaders. He revealed, "If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had genuine concerns for Muslims, he should hand over his report on Waqf encroachments to the CBI."
The back-and-forth exchanges and demands from both sides reveal not just the complexity of Karnataka's political fabric but also the potential larger ramifications of the Waqf land controversy intertwined with corruption and accountability. Amidst the chaos, the actual cases and accountability of past administrations get entangled with political vendettas as both parties desperately seek to shield themselves against allegations of misappropriation and impropriety.
With the legislative assembly concluding its session on December 19, the saga surrounding Waqf properties appears far from resolved. The call for CBI investigations remains loud and clear from both sides as the blame game continues, reflective of the bitter rivalry plaguing Karnataka’s political environment.
