Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Parvez Dharwad has been missing since 16 September 2026 after allegedly leaving a note in Gadag expressing intent to end his life, citing prolonged fund delays and contractor pressure — and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized on the incident to mount a sharp political offensive against the Congress-led Karnataka government.

What the BJP Alleged

Speaking to the media on Saturday in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka questioned the Congress government over the circumstances surrounding Parvez's disappearance. He alleged the incident was a direct reflection of the state's worsening financial crisis.

Ashoka cited the note allegedly written by Parvez, which reportedly stated that contractors had confronted and threatened the engineer over pending payments, and that funds had not been released despite repeated requests. 'Now, what will you say about AEE Parvez's letter?' Ashoka asked, directing the question at the ruling dispensation.

Ashoka also referred to an alleged communication from the state Finance Department indicating a funds shortage, claiming the department had informed the government that money was unavailable. He alleged the state had 'gone bankrupt'. 'The government officers are on the path of committing suicide, but the Finance Department says these are love letters,' he said, referring to remarks he attributed to Congress leaders about the department's communication.

Council Opposition Echoes the Charge

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy also questioned the government, alleging that works were being awarded without ensuring funds were in place. 'In KRIDL, while awarding a contract, the government has to release the money first. Without allotting funds, how can you get the work done?' he said.

Narayanaswamy claimed bills worth around ₹2 lakh crore were pending across the state and alleged the government had failed to clear them. He also criticised the state's drought relief package, saying the BJP had demanded ₹10,000 compensation for drought-hit farmers while the government had announced only ₹2,500. He urged authorities to prioritise tracing Parvez, saying the engineer's life was more important than administrative disputes. 'Contractors asking for their payments is not wrong, but they should not harass officials,' he added.

Former Minister Raises Corruption Charge

Former minister and BJP MP K. Sudhakar also reacted to the incident, alleging that corruption had increased in Karnataka since the Congress government came to power and claiming the state had become a 'national capital of corruption'. He did not provide specific details to substantiate the allegation.

The Missing Engineer: What Is Known

Parvez Dharwad had travelled to Bengaluru on 16 September to attend a meeting and has not been seen since. A missing person case was registered at the Betageri police station in Gadag on the same day. His family has sought the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to trace him.

Notably, the note allegedly left by Parvez was addressed to the Managing Director of KRIDL and cited prolonged delays in fund release and disbursement as well as pressure from contractors — pointing to systemic financial bottlenecks within the state-run infrastructure body. Police are continuing efforts to trace the engineer and ascertain the circumstances of his disappearance.

What Happens Next

With the BJP mounting pressure and the engineer's family demanding an SIT probe, the Karnataka government is likely to face escalating scrutiny over both the missing persons case and its broader fiscal management. The incident adds to a growing narrative around the state's public spending constraints, and any further developments in the search for Parvez could intensify political tensions ahead of upcoming legislative sessions.