Anurag Thakur accuses Congress of pay‑for‑cabinet posts in Karnataka

BJP Lok Sabha MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur publicly questioned Congress leaders over a viral audio clip that he says shows senior party figures discussing payments for ministerial positions. Thakur claimed the recording suggests around 80 % of Karnataka cabinet ministers secured their posts by offering money to the party’s high command. He demanded answers from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other senior officials, citing specific cases such as the alleged inclusion of B. Nagendra in the cabinet despite an Enforcement Directorate probe into the Valmiki development scheme. Thakur also referenced former Karnataka minister R. B. Thimmapur, former MLA S. G. Nanjayyanamath and senior leader H. K. Patil as examples of the alleged “offering” culture. The Congress party has not issued a response to the accusations in the material provided.