Governance Takes a Backseat

During the 2023 Assembly elections in Karnataka, the Congress party accused the former ruling BJP government of imposing a 40% commission on state contracts, a campaign strategy that successfully propelled them back to power. However, just 15 months into their tenure, Congress is now facing similar allegations, leading to concerns over governance quality in the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have been asserting their administration’s commitment to fulfilling the five key promises made to voters, along with maintaining a corruption-free governance framework. Nonetheless, despite initiating judicial inquiries into the corruption claims against the previous regime, tangible results remain elusive, leaving the current government in a vulnerable position. In response to escalating criticism from both the BJP and its ally JD(S), Siddaramaiah’s administration has resorted to extensive newspaper advertisements to defend their record.

Siddaramaiah, serving his second term as Chief Minister and having presented an impressive 15 Budgets, has built a reputation for effective governance. Yet, these factors are overshadowed by ongoing challenges in state management.

The Chief Minister has publicly criticized the central government’s alleged unfair treatment regarding financial allocations to Karnataka. However, the current administration has shown limited output in governance or the execution of new initiatives. Development and infrastructure projects have stalled due to a financial crunch, largely attributed to the funding demands of the Congress’s election promises and the recent implementation of the 7th Pay Commission salary adjustments for state employees. Critical issues such as water shortages, traffic congestion, and deteriorating road conditions in Bengaluru have further damaged the administration’s standing.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, responsible for the Irrigation and Bengaluru Development portfolios, has made little progress on his ‘Brand Bengaluru’ project. His efforts to rename Ramanagara as Bengaluru South District in order to ignite real estate growth have not produced the desired effects. Furthermore, ongoing disputes with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy about regional political influence have compounded the challenges.

Siddaramaiah is also ensnared in legal and political controversy over allegations involving the allocation of 14 prime urban development sites in Mysuru to his wife during the previous administration, raising questions about improper land dealings. This controversy has also led to tensions with the Governor. In a show of solidarity with the Chief Minister, the entire Cabinet has engaged in protests against the Governor’s moves to initiate legal action based on complaints from social activists, diverting attention from critical governance issues.

In a separate scandal, a ₹187 crore embezzlement case within the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation erupted following a tragic suicide linked to alleged corruption. Already, a dozen individuals have been arrested, and Minister B. Nagendra has resigned. The involvement of nationalized bank officials has prompted investigations from the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation. While the government has managed to navigate this crisis, the scrutiny surrounding the MUDA land allocation case could significantly impact its governance capacity. Additionally, ongoing concerns about corruption in police transfers, exacerbated by the unforeseen deaths of two officers, continue to cast a shadow over the administration.

As the Siddaramaiah government grapples with these scandals, the much-awaited elections for urban and rural local bodies, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, are still pending. Karnataka, known for its strong administrative legacy, must work to restore its reputation for effective governance.