22/02/2026
This incident has sparked a significant political row in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress party using the arrest to counter previous allegations of "commission culture" made by the BJP.
The recent political row in Karnataka centers on two major developments in February 2026: the arrest of high-profile BJP MLA Chandru Lamani in a bribery trap and the controversial detention of RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna. These events have intensified the long-standing "commission culture" debate, where the ruling Congress party is now using the arrest of a BJP legislator to counter the "40% commission" allegations that originally helped them win power in 2023.
Arrest of BJP MLA Chandru Lamani
On February 21, 2026, the Karnataka Lokayukta arrested Shirahatti MLA Chandru Lamani while he was allegedly accepting a 5 Lakh bribe from a contractor.
The Trap: Lamani and two of his personal assistants (Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Nayak) were caught red-handed at a hospital owned by the MLA in Laxmeshwar.
The Allegation: He had reportedly demanded a total bribe of 11 lakh from a Class-1 contractor, Vijay Pujar, in exchange for awarding contracts under the Minor Irrigation Department.
Political Fallout: This arrest has provided significant leverage to the Congress government, which previously used "40% commission" allegations against the former BJP administration as a primary election plank.
Controversy Surrounding Snehamayi Krishna
Simultaneously, the arrest (or intensive questioning) of social activist Snehamayi Krishna has sparked a separate political firestorm.
The Charges: Krishna, who was a key petitioner in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) land allotment case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was taken into custody by the Central Crime Branch (CCB). She is accused of fabricating documents, photographs, and audio clips to defame senior KAS officer D.B. Natesh.
BJP Response: The BJP has condemned her arrest, with Opposition Leader R. Ashoka labeling it an "Emergency-like rule" and accusing the Congress government of using the police to silence dissenters involved in the MUDA investigation.
Current Status: While initial reports stated she was arrested, Krishna later clarified she was only questioned and released. She also issued a public apology to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh for sharing incorrect information.
Resurgence of the "Commission Culture" Debate
The row has been further fueled by recent admissions from within the government. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged on February 20, 2026, that the practice of "commissions" or kickbacks continues to exist within the state's governance system.
Contractor Unrest: The Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) has announced a statewide protest for March 6, alleging that the current government has failed to clear pending bills amounting to 37,370 Crore.
Mutual Allegations: While Congress points to the arrest of MLA Lamani as evidence of deep-rooted BJP corruption, the BJP highlights Minister Jarkiholi's admission and the MUDA scam to argue that the "kickback culture" has worsened under Congress rule.
