Credibility crisis: Congress reels under graft claims amid leadership fight in Karnataka

BENGALURU: The shoe is firmly on the other foot for Congress party in Karnataka, with its govt facing a crisis of credibility, thanks to allegations of corruption and leadership struggles which threaten to tear the state party unit apart.
The party had returned to the helm last year with a brute majority after, ironically, campaigning on an anticorruption platform, but it now faces charges of misappropriation and impropriety.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, known to advocate socialism and effective governance, finds himself on the defensive amid a flurry of allegations that have marred the govt’s reputation. He is now battling to salvage his tarnished image.
Political analyst Prof Ravindra Reshme said the allegations have severely impacted the govt’s perception in public eyes and internal discord and factionalism within the party have further exacerbated the situation and is threatening to undermine the party’s hard-won mandate.
“The rift between Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar has spilled into the public arena, with both shadow fighting,” said Reshme. “This power struggle has not only hit governance but has also weakened the party’s ability to present a unified front against mounting allegations.”
It began with claims of funds misappropriation at Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd (KMVSTDC), leading to the resignation of minister B Nagendra. The opposition has intensified its demands for resignations from top officials, including the CM and medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil, alleging complicity in the scandal.
Further complicating matters, questions have emerged regarding the allocation of alternative housing sites under the Mysuru Urban Development Authority’s now scrapped 50:50 scheme, in volving Siddaramaiah’s wife. These issues have heightened scrutiny on the govt’s integrity, echoing the very same criticism Congress had levied against the previous BJP administration.
“Congress can only blame itself if it finds the taste of its own medicine bitter,” said Vishwas Shetty, a political commentator. “The opposition, primarily BJP, has seized on these controversies to mount fierce criticism against Siddaramaiah and his govt.
The silence of senior party members has been conspicuous, and it has puzzled political observers. Brijesh Kalappa, a Supreme Court advocate, wondered why senior functionaries with credibility have not risen to defend Siddaramaiah, “the most credible Congress leader”.
“That’s completely missing, raising questions over unity in the party,” said Kalappa. “The leadership must take decisive action to address these allegations and restore public trust as the credibility of the government hinges on its ability to respond effectively to these accusations. If allegations like these remain unanswered, Congress will be impacted very badly in days to come.”
The monsoon session of the legislature beginning mid-July will be a crucial test for the govt in general and Siddaramaiah in particular.