The agitation, underway since Tuesday night, entered its second day with BJP legislators seen taking a morning walk inside the Assembly building. According to a report in ANI, the BJP leaders alleged widespread corruption in the Excise Department.
#WATCH | Karnataka LoP R. Ashoka and BJP MLAs continued their overnight protest and stayed inside the Vidhana Soudha. This morning, BJP leaders and MLAs were seen taking a walk in the Assembly.
Demanding the resignation of Excise Minister RB Timmapur over corruption allegations,… pic.twitter.com/PyM7vRQTka— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2026
The protest was also supported by the Janata Dal (Secular), with JD(S) leader CB Suresh Babu joining the chorus against the Siddaramaiah-led state government.
BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan launched an attack on the state administration, claiming that corruption has been institutionalised across departments, with the Excise Department playing a significant role.
“Each department, especially the Excise Department, is into a lot of corruption. It has become an ‘ATM sarkar’ and they have been collecting regular collections with fixed charges with wine vendors, officers for postings, licence and everything,” Narayan told ANI.
#WATCH | BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan says, “…Each department, especially the Excise Department, is into a lot of corruption. It has become an ‘ATM sarkar’ and they have been collecting regular collections with fixed charges with wine vendors, officers for postings, license and… https://t.co/bFvqzcrHb1 pic.twitter.com/jB79xsEB1M
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2026
He alleged a ₹ 6,000 crore corruption scam in Karnataka State Excise Department. “We have made an allegation that this minister collects ₹ 6,000 Crores each year from the Excise Department. So, we are demanding his resignation. We have produced lot of evidence,” Narayan added.
BJP MLA Cement Manju said there is a clear accusation of corruption against Timmapur. In a conversation with ANI, he said, “There is also a voice recording on how much money the ministers get… We have held a protest… We have also submitted the pen drive of his voice recording…”
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLA Cement Manju says, “There is an accusation of corruption on the Excise minister, R Timmapur… There is also a voice recording on how much money the ministers get… We have held a protest… We have also submitted the pen drive of his voice… https://t.co/bFvqzcrHb1 pic.twitter.com/yIDrMhklQm
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2026
Earlier, Excise Deputy Commissioner of the Bengaluru Urban District Jagadeesh Naik and two other officials were arrested by Lokayukta sleuths in January for allegedly receiving a ₹ 25 lakh bribe, reported PTI.
As per the Lokayukta officials, the officers demanded ₹ 80 lakh for CL-7 (Hotels & Boarding Houses) and microbrewery licences. Minister Timmapur responded to the claims, saying he has taken steps to prevent corruption in his department.
He declined the BJP’s demand for his resignation, noting that no ministers during the BJP government had ever stepped down.
