Following his son’s arrest in a bribery case, Channagiri BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa resigned from his position as chair of the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL). As a result, the ruling BJP government in Karnataka now faces the difficult task of defending itself against growing accusations of corruption. The party was already under attack due to the “40% commission” claim that Congress had turned into a rallying cry before the Assembly election.
D K Shivakumar, the state president of the Congress, criticised the BJP government over the incident, claiming that it was evidence that the BJP is a 40% commission government.
Image for Representation
However, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai vowed an impartial investigation and stated that anyone guilty of wrongdoing should be punished. He emphasised that the current administration reinstated the Lokayukta to combat corruption.
CM Bommai said, “In the absence of the anti-corruption institution, so many incidents had taken place during the Congress regime and were also hushed up.” He further added, “Congress ministers and MLAs had 59 charges (against them), but it was hushed up as there was (only) ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau). Once that is enquired by the Lokayukta, truth will come out.”
Madal Virupakshappa stated in his resignation letter that a “conspiracy” existed against him and his family.
But who is Madal Virupakshappa?
Here is everything you need to know about Madal Virupakshappa!
The two-time BJP MLA from Channagiri in the Davanagere district, 72 years old, is a member of the Sadar Lingayat community, a Lingayat subsect. His political career began with the Congress, where he was a close aide to the former chief minister and BJP parliamentary board member B S Yediyurappa.
Madal Virupakshappa with BS Yediyurappa
Image Source: The South First
Later, Madal Virupakshappa joined the BJP, and in 2008, he won his first election. One of the most well-known figures from Davangere is Virupakshappa, a Congress MP alongside Shamanur Shivashankarappa. In 2012, Yedyiurappa severed relations with the BJP and launched the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP). Madal Virupakshappa followed him and swore allegiance to the venerable BJP leader. He lost the Assembly election that year against Vadnal Rajanna, a Congress leader.
Madal Virupakshappa
Image Source: The News Minute
In 2014, Virupakshappa joined Yediyurappa in rejoining the BJP. Although Virupakshappa defeated his rival in Channagiri in 2018, he was denied a position in the Cabinet. Virupakshappa was named chairman of the KSDL two years later when Yedyiurappa was the chief minister.
Various BJP sources have told reporters that it was doubtful that Virupakshappa would receive a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections.
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