Karnataka seer accuses Basavraj Bommai govt of taking 30 pct cut from grants for mutts

The fresh allegation comes days after corruption charges against former state minister KS Eshwarappa surfaced.

Chief Minister Bommai has said that he takes the seer's allegations "very seriously" and will "get to the bottom of the case".

Dingaleshwara Swami, the seer who led a delegation of over two dozen sadhus from across the state to extend support to Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa during his exit as the Chief Minister, had earlier warned of a BJP fallout in the state if Yediyurappa is removed from the post of CM, said reports.

"Even we are aware of the cut scam. If any grants have to be released to the mutts for the welfare and their development, the government cuts 30 per cent as commission before releasing the amount, otherwise it doesn't work at all. The officials say that if you don't agree to the cut from the grants, then the grants won't be released," Dingaleshwara Swami told the mediapersons.

Responding to the allegation, Bommai said: "He's a great Swamiji. He's well known in the state. I only request his holiness to furnish the proof of whom the commission was paid to, for what purpose he has paid, and to whom he has paid... We will certainly inquire and get to the bottom of the case."

On Friday, BJP's KS Eshwarappa, who found himself in the middle of a huge controversy following allegations of corruption and an alleged role in the suicide of a contractor, stepped down from his ministry.

Contractor Santosh Patil had alleged that Eshwarappa, had demanded a 40 per cent commission on the value of the contract work executed by him.