BJP’s corruption claim against Speaker U.T. Khader draws flak; Congress leader Manoraj Rajeev calls for Privilege Motion

Mangaluru: Senior advocate and Dakshina Kannada District Congress Legal Cell president Manoraj Rajeev has strongly defended Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader amid corruption allegations raised by the opposition BJP, terming them “baseless” and a “political stunt”.

The BJP has accused Khader of irregularities in projects taken up under the banner of legislative administration reform and development. BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri alleged that the Speaker approved works at inflated prices after obtaining consent from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, allegedly violating finance department norms.

The allegations, made by Kageri during a recent press conference, have triggered a heated political exchange, with coastal BJP leaders joining in criticism of Khader.

Reacting to the development, Manoraj Rajeev hit back, saying the BJP, which had been “mired in scams” during its tenure in power, is now “trying to portray the Congress government as corrupt through false narratives”.

“The BJP failed while in government and is now failing as the opposition,” Rajeev remarked. “If BJP MLA Bharath Shetty and MP Kageri are such parliamentary experts, why did they remain silent during the execution of these projects? They cannot now turn around and accuse the Speaker after everything is complete,” he added.

Questioning the timing and intent of the allegations, Rajeev said, “If BJP MLAs were aware that the Speaker was developing MLA quarters, why didn’t they object when the work began? If there was any irregularity, they could have raised it during the tender process or stopped the bill. They chose not to because the charges are fabricated.”

Calling the BJP’s demand for a judicial probe by a sitting judge “disrespectful to the Speaker’s office”, Rajeev said the opposition MLAs should have brought up their concerns in the Assembly. “They could have even moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker if they had proof. Instead, they are indulging in a media drama,” he added.

Manoraj, who is also a legal expert, has urged Congress MLAs to file a Privilege Motion complaint against BJP leaders for what he termed as “illegal and defamatory” accusations intended to undermine the dignity of the Speaker’s office.