Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Ashoka Demands Ministers’ Dismissal, CBI Probe Into KRIDL
R. Ashoka, a leader of Karnataka’s opposition BJP, accused two ministers of being connected to an alleged bribery scheme.
The accusation concerns KRIDL, an organization involved in rural infrastructure work.
A Congress MLA named Ashok Kumar Rai reportedly wrote to the government about the issue.
Rai said contractors were being pressured to pay an extra 7% of project costs.
Ashoka said contractors who questioned the payments were threatened.
He demanded that the two ministers be dismissed.
He also called for an investigation by the CBI or the Lokayukta.
Ashoka estimated that the alleged commissions could total about ₹800 crore.
The articles do not include a response from the accused ministers or the Karnataka government.
Karnataka Opposition Leader R. Ashoka demanded the dismissal of two ministers over an alleged 7% commission collection in KRIDL projects.
Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai reportedly urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to investigate alleged misconduct by two KRIDL officials in Mangaluru.
Rai’s letter alleged that contractors were pressured, threatened and harassed to pay up to 7% of project costs.
Ashoka claimed the alleged commission system may have collected around ₹800 crore and criticized what he called a “commission government.”
He sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation or the Lokayukta, saying a departmental inquiry would be insufficient.
- Who
- R. Ashoka made the demands, citing allegations raised by Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai; the allegations concern two unnamed Karnataka ministers and KRIDL officials.
- What
- Ashoka demanded the ministers’ dismissal and an independent investigation into an alleged 7% commission collection in KRIDL projects.
- When
- Ashoka made the demands at a press conference on Wednesday.
- Where
- The press conference was held in Bengaluru; the cited allegations involved KRIDL officials and contractors in Mangaluru.
- Why
- Ashoka said the allegations indicated serious corruption, threats against contractors and a commission system that required investigation beyond a departmental inquiry.
- Main accuser
- R. Ashoka, Karnataka’s Leader of Opposition
- Alleged collection
- Up to 7% of project costs in the name of senior ministers and KRIDL charges
- Source cited
- A letter from Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar
- Estimated amount
- Ashoka said around ₹800 crore may have been collected through the alleged commission system
- Investigation sought
- The Central Bureau of Investigation or the Lokayukta
- Government response
- No response from the accused ministers or the Karnataka government was included in the articles
