The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka asserted on Sunday that the Lokayukta probe has cleared the party’s previous government of the 40% commission charges. BJP leaders described the allegations made by Congress as entirely "false" and part of a political "toolkit."

During the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress had used allegations by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, claiming the BJP government demanded 40% commissions, as a key campaign point. This charge was one of the reasons said to have contributed to the BJP’s defeat.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka told reporters, “It is proved that the 40% commission allegation made against the BJP is false. Congress, using the (then) State Contractors’ Association president Kempanna and vice president as its toolkit, accused us of taking 40% commission. A case was filed, and the truth has now come out.”

Ashoka highlighted that contractor R. Ambikapathy, who had alleged giving commissions, had not worked as a contractor for six years. “These unemployed contractors became part of Congress’ toolkit and made allegations against the Basavaraj Bommai government, calling it a 40% Sarakara. Today, BJP workers are happy that this was bogus,” he added.

Ashoka also accused the current Congress government of being a "60% commission government" and cited scams like the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam and the MUDA scam as evidence. He alleged that Congress failed to prove their earlier charges in court despite being in power for 16 months.

Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa also responded, saying, “The Lokayukta probe itself has shown these allegations were false. Congress leaders should now speak carefully, as making false claims serves no purpose.”

Home Minister G. Parameshwara countered the BJP's claims, saying, “It is wrong to say Congress came to power solely because of the 40% commission campaign. Guarantee schemes and other factors also contributed.” He added that the charges were initially raised by the late Kempanna in a letter to the Prime Minister. Congress, Parameshwara said, pursued the matter “in the interest of the people.”