Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Thursday, 11 June mounted a fresh offensive against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, demanding immediate public release of a high-level committee report on alleged violations in the state government's tender procedures. The challenge comes a day after Shivakumar accused Ashoka of acting as an 'agent of the garbage mafia' — a charge the opposition leader flatly rejected.

The Exchange of Accusations

Ashoka fired back at Shivakumar's remarks, saying he was speaking as an 'agent of the people' and not as a 'commission agent protecting mafia interests.' He framed his scrutiny as a constitutional obligation, asserting that, as Leader of Opposition, he was duty-bound to question the government on behalf of Karnataka's 7.5 crore people and Bengaluru's 1.5 crore residents. Dismissing the Chief Minister's claims of transparency as 'the biggest joke of the century,' Ashoka said the people of Karnataka were well acquainted with Shivakumar's political and administrative record.

The Tender Panel Report at the Centre of the Row

The immediate flashpoint is a high-level committee the state government constituted to examine alleged irregularities in tender processes, with a one-week deadline to submit its findings. Ashoka challenged Shivakumar to release the report without delay. 'If there is even a trace of transparency left, the report should be made public without any delay. Let the people of the state see the facts and decide for themselves,' he said. He further alleged that the committee itself had been formed not to uncover violations but to cover them up — a claim the government has not responded to directly.

The ₹36,500 Crore ISWM Allegation

The broader controversy centres on the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) project proposed for Bengaluru. At a press conference on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged the project involved a scam worth ₹36,500 crore and claimed kickbacks amounting to ₹10,000 crore had been paid. He alleged that waste management work previously handled by local operators had been redirected to 'powerful companies' under the new Congress administration. These are allegations; the government has not confirmed them.

BJP Escalates to Raj Bhavan

A BJP delegation led by Ashoka met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The delegation also called for the dismissal of the Congress-led state government, alleging large-scale financial impropriety in the project. This marks the first major corruption charge the BJP has levelled against the Shivakumar government since it assumed office.

Internal Congress Discontent, Ashoka Claims

Beyond the tender row, Ashoka alleged that dissatisfaction within the Congress itself was growing, with legislators reportedly voicing grievances publicly and making frequent trips to New Delhi to raise concerns with the party leadership. He said Shivakumar's frustration stemmed from the opposition's refusal to grant the new government any 'honeymoon period.' The Congress has not issued a formal response to these internal-dissent claims. As the deadline for the committee report approaches, the political pressure on Shivakumar to either release or defend its findings is set to intensify.