BJP's B.C. Patil questions 'zero traffic' for K'taka HM Priyank Kharge at Bengaluru airport
Synopsis
A former Karnataka minister and BJP leader who is also an ex-police officer says he was personally stopped at 5.30 am by a traffic block arranged for Home Minister Priyank Kharge — and is now publicly asking whether the AICC president's son is getting state privileges unavailable to ordinary ministers.
Key Takeaways
Patil alleged a 'zero traffic' arrangement was made for Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's travel to Bengaluru airport on 1 September .
Patil, a former police officer, said he was stopped at around 5.30 am and found no legal provision entitling a Home Minister to such clearance.
The traffic block allegedly caused a major jam, leaving several passengers at risk of missing their flights.
Patil questioned whether Kharge received the arrangement due to his status as son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge .
Shivakumar was urged by Patil to advise the Home Minister on the matter.
The Karnataka government had not issued a formal response as of the time of reporting.
Former Karnataka minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B.C. Patil on Tuesday, 1 September publicly questioned the alleged 'zero traffic' arrangement reportedly made for Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's travel to Bengaluru airport, saying the restrictions caused severe inconvenience to airport-bound commuters. Patil also asked whether Kharge was receiving preferential treatment owing to his status as the son of All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge.
What Patil Witnessed
According to Patil, he was travelling from Bengaluru city to the airport at around 5.30 am when traffic police stopped all vehicular movement, informing commuters that 'zero traffic' arrangements had been made for the Home Minister's airport transit. Patil said he directly questioned the traffic police officers on the ground about who was travelling and on what legal basis the restrictions were imposed.
'I asked why zero traffic was being provided and who was travelling. The traffic police told me that Karnataka Home Minister was going to the airport,' Patil said.
Patil Challenges Legal Basis
Patil, who served as a police officer before entering politics, said he was not aware of any statutory provision entitling a Home Minister to 'zero traffic' clearance. 'There is no zero traffic for the Home Minister, in my opinion and as far as I know. When did this system come into existence?' he questioned.
He alleged that the resulting traffic jam left several passengers struggling to reach their flights on time. 'Many passengers were worried that they would miss their flights. They were struggling because of the traffic jam,' he said.
The AICC Connection Questioned
Taking a pointed dig at the alleged VIP treatment, Patil asked whether Kharge was being accorded special privileges because of his family background. 'Is this a special facility because he is the son of the AICC president?' Patil asked on Facebook, where he posted his remarks.
This comes amid recurring public debate in Karnataka over VIP culture and the use of state machinery for the personal convenience of those in power — a concern that has periodically drawn criticism across party lines.
Appeal to CM Shivakumar
Patil appealed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take note of the incident and advise the Home Minister appropriately. He urged Priyank Kharge to act in accordance with the law and ensure that ministerial movement arrangements do not unnecessarily inconvenience ordinary citizens, particularly those with scheduled flights who face serious consequences if delayed.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Karnataka Home Minister's office nor the state government had issued a formal response to Patil's allegations. The incident is likely to intensify political scrutiny over VIP protocol norms in the state.
Point of View
It raises the question of whether Priyank Kharge's proximity to the Congress high command is shaping the deference he receives from state machinery, a dynamic that Chief Minister Shivakumar can ill afford to ignore ahead of local body elections.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'zero traffic' controversy involving Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge?
BJP leader B.C. Patil alleged that traffic police in Bengaluru stopped all vehicles at around 5.30 am on 1 September to create a 'zero traffic' corridor for Home Minister Priyank Kharge's travel to the airport. Patil said the arrangement caused a significant traffic jam and left several passengers at risk of missing their flights.
Is a Karnataka Home Minister legally entitled to 'zero traffic' arrangements?
According to B.C. Patil, who served as a police officer before entering politics, there is no known legal provision entitling a Home Minister to 'zero traffic' clearance. He publicly challenged the government to clarify when and under what authority such a system was put in place.
Why did B.C. Patil raise the AICC president connection?
Patil questioned whether Priyank Kharge was receiving preferential treatment because he is the son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. He asked directly whether the arrangement constituted a 'special facility' linked to the Home Minister's family background, framing it as a question of political privilege rather than protocol.
What action has B.C. Patil demanded?
Patil appealed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take note of the incident and advise the Home Minister to act in accordance with the law. He urged that VIP movement arrangements not disrupt ordinary citizens, especially airport-bound passengers who face serious consequences from delays.
Has the Karnataka government responded to the allegations?
As of the time of reporting, neither the Karnataka Home Minister's office nor the state government had issued a formal response to B.C. Patil's allegations posted on Facebook.
