Congress spokesperson accuses NCB of behaving like BJP’s ‘agent’

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M. Lakshman has accused the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of behaving like BJP’s “agent” and spreading “lies”.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on February 1, Mr. Lakshman challenged NCB to provide evidence of the seizure of drugs during their inspection of a phenyl manufacturing facility in Hebbal police station limits in Mysuru recently.

While the material suspected to be Mephedrone (MD) was found in a vehicle intercepted by the NCB in Rajasthan, the facility they inspected in Mysuru for “follow-up” action was still under construction. “I challenge the NCB to show what they got here in Mysuru,” he said.

The Congress party’s allegation comes after NCB, in a statement, said it had busted a major inter-state drug trafficking syndicate and clandestine drug manufacturing lab in Mysuru.

He alleged that the NCB was spreading lies in Karnataka as the State was ruled by the Congress. He said the country’s central law enforcement agency against drug trafficking was “specifically targeting Mysuru” as it was Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home district.

While reading from a copy of the press release released by NCB on January 30, 2026, Mr. Lakshamana said the central law enforcement agency appeared to be “canvassing” for the BJP by using phrases such as “pursuant to the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi” and “acting upon directives of Hon’ble Union Home Minister”.

The job of the NCB is to combat drug trafficking, seize drugs and book persons involved in illicit drug trade, he said.

The NCB press statement announcing the busting of a clandestine drug manufacturing lab in Mysuru came after City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, as well as Home Minister G. Parameshwara, clearly denied that any contraband or materials used to manufacture drugs was found during the NCB inspection in Mysuru.

He, however, sought to clarify that he was not defending either the city police or the State government.

Mr. Lakshmana further trained his guns on Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysuru MP, for bringing a bad name to Mysuru by levelling “false allegations” about it becoming a hub for drug manufacturing.

Referring to Mr. Yaduveer’s allegation that drugs were being manufactured in the state in connivance with the police, Mr. Lakshmana said he would be the first one to question the city police if proof is provided to substantiate the charges.

He alleged that it was during the BJP rule in the State that the drug menace in Mysuru had increased, while the period between 2023-25 saw the police booking a large number of cases under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.