Will examine PSI scam-related audio of BJP MLA, says CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Sep 12: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the audio involving a BJP MLA's purported conversation with a man in connection with the scam-hit police sub-inspector (PSI) recruitment would be examined and if something wrong was found, he would get it investigated.
I don't know about the audio or video. We will examine it. If at all something like that (scam) is found then we certainly will order to investigate, Bommai told reporters here.
The Congress has tweeted alleging that the Kanakagiri BJP MLA Basavaraj Dadesagur acted as a broker in the PSI scam between the candidates and the government, and collected Rs 15 lakh.
Basavaraj Dagesagur, who was broker on behalf of the government in the PSI scam and after collecting Rs 15 lakh admitted that the voice in the audio was his and later threatened those who levelled charges against him. This video exposes the reality of the MLA. Dear Basavaraj Bommai, when will you show the guts to question the MLA? the Congress sought to know.
Congress MLA and former minister Priyank Kharge, too, asked the same question to Bommai in a press conference.
However, BJP MLA Dagesagur said the audio was not a recent one but of 2020.
I am unrelated to it (scam). I only went to mediate in a case. I had only said that I will solve the matter. There is no relation between my conversation and the PSI scam in 2020. A former MLA of our area joined some audios. This is nothing but a political conspiracy, Dagesagur told reporters at the Vidhana Soudha.
He added that he was accused of collecting Rs 15 lakh but his son did not clear the physical test.
PSI ಹಗರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬ್ರೋಕರ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದ ಬಸವರಾಜ್ ದಡೇಸಗೂರರವರು 15 ಲಕ್ಷ ಪಡೆದ ಸಂಗತಿಯ ಆಡಿಯೋ ನನ್ನದೇ ಎಂದು ಒಪ್ಪಿ ನಂತರ ಆರೋಪಿಸಿದವರನ್ನು ಬೆದರಿಸಿ ಉಲ್ಟಾ ಹೊಡೆದಿದ್ದರು.
— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) September 12, 2022
ಈ ವಿಡಿಯೋದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಸಕರ ಅಸಲಿ ಬಂಡವಾಳ ಬಯಲಾಗಿದೆ.@BSBommai ಅವರೇ, ಶಾಸಕರ ವಿಚಾರಣೆ ನಡೆಸುವ ದಮ್ಮು, ತಾಕತ್ತನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸುವುದು ಯಾವಾಗ? pic.twitter.com/4yF3QwoKyZ
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
