Contractors' body chief Kempanna, best known for his '40% commission' charge against BJP govt in Karnataka, dies at 84

The KSCA, under the leadership of Kempanna, had during the previous BJP government alleged 'harassment' by ministers, elected representatives and others, accusing them of demanding 40% commission for awarding contracts and clearing bills.

Karnataka State Contractors' Association President D Kempanna.

Credit: DH File Photo

Bengaluru: Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) president D Kempanna, who put the previous BJP government on the mat with his ‘40% commission’ allegation, died aged 84 on Thursday.

Kempanna became a household name in the state’s politics after he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2021 complaining that contractors are forced to pay a cut to ministers, elected representatives and officials. This pushed the BJP, which was in power then, to a corner and helped Congress weave a narrative around corruption setting the tone for the 2023 Legislative Assembly polls.

Kempanna, who started his professional career with a job at the state-owned BEL, became a contractor in 1980. He entered the KSCA in 1990. Rising through the ranks, Kempanna became the KSCA president in 2019. Kempanna is also credited with taking the Bengaluru-centric KSCA across the state.

Condoling Kempanna’s death, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recalled how he exposed the ‘40% commission’ scam.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has also condoled Kempanna’s death.