New Delhi/Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Law Minister H.K. Patil, accusing them of illegal mining approvals, misgovernance, and diverting public attention from corruption in the Congress-led state government.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy alleged that Siddaramaiah had illegally granted mining licenses to seven companies during his previous tenure as CM. He branded a recent letter by Law Minister H.K. Patil—raising concerns over illegal mining—as “a drama” and a diversion tactic to mask the state government’s growing scandals.
“Throw Patil’s letter into the dustbin,” Kumaraswamy thundered, asserting that the Law Minister’s sudden concern over a ₹1.5 lakh crore mining scam was hypocritical and politically motivated.
Key Accusations by Kumaraswamy:
- Seven illegal mining leases approved during Siddaramaiah’s earlier tenure.
- H.K. Patil’s silence over the issue for nearly a decade despite being Law Minister for two years.
- Alleged corruption in the Housing Department, including commission scams.
- Congress’s repeated claims of Centre’s misuse of agencies like ED and IT were labeled as deflections from its own misdeeds.
“You’ve been Law Minister for two years. Where were you all this time? Were you in a Kumbhakarna-like slumber?” Kumaraswamy asked pointedly.
Political Challenge and Promise
In a sharp political message, Kumaraswamy declared:
“If the people of Karnataka give me five more years in power, I’ll answer every letter, every allegation. I have all the documents. I’ve never looted public money or sent it abroad.”
He also hit back at Siddaramaiah’s claims that the former CM took credit for loan waivers, pointing out that his government had waived ₹25,000 crore in farmer loans without indulging in publicity stunts.
Demand for Resignation
Kumaraswamy called on the Congress high command to demand the resignation of both CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, urging the party to install a “third, morally upright leader” for the remaining three years of its term.
“This state is being ruined under their leadership. Let someone else govern with dignity and direction,” he said.
