HD Kumaraswamy Targets Rahul Gandhi, Priyank Kharge Over KPSC Irregularities in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge over alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), asking Gandhi to visit Bengaluru and interact with candidates affected by recruitment controversies.
Speaking to the media at the JD(S) state office, JP Bhavan, Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government lacked the intent and political will to clean up KPSC. His remarks came a day after IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar was arrested by the CID in connection with alleged KPSC irregularities.
“Where are you, Rahul Gandhi? Your KPSC is rotting. You travel across the country and interact with students and young people. When will you come to Bengaluru and interact with KPSC victims?” Kumaraswamy asked.
He also attacked Priyank Kharge, alleging that irregularities had occurred in recruitment and questioning the government’s handling of the commission. Kumaraswamy claimed that candidates who had secured 95 per cent marks in a veterinary recruitment examination were placed far down the list, while candidates who had failed twice secured the second rank, and demanded an explanation from Kharge.
Referring to recruitment for Assistant Executive Engineer Grade-I posts, Kumaraswamy alleged that the then KPSC secretary had violated procedures during the selection and appointment process and acted without bringing decisions to the notice of the chairman and members. He further alleged that OMR sheets had been altered using carbon copies, CCTV data had been destroyed and that forensic findings had established irregularities.
Kumaraswamy questioned why the state government had not filed objections before the High Court despite the alleged findings. He accused the government of repeatedly seeking time before the court and alleged that candidates who secured jobs through irregular means had continued to draw government salaries for the past year.
He also referred to the High Court’s stay concerning recruitment in the Irrigation Department and said KPSC, despite being a constitutional body, was functioning as though it was dependent on the government.
Kumaraswamy said that during his tenure as chief minister in 2006, he had appointed a person from the Dalit community as KPSC chairman and claimed that he had neither appointed relatives or associates nor allowed recruitment irregularities.
Turning to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy questioned the government’s claims of fighting corruption and alleged that jobs were being sold for amounts running into lakhs and crores. He demanded that the government disclose how many jobs had been provided to unemployed youth during its tenure.
On the arrest of Gyanendra Kumar, the Union Minister alleged that the government would stage action for a month or two before giving the officer another influential posting. He also raised a series of questions about the officer’s reported travel to Delhi and Chennai and demanded that the Home Minister explain who had authorised his movement and whether the state intelligence machinery was aware of it.
Kumaraswamy alleged that irregularities in the Assistant Executive Engineer Grade-I and veterinary officer selections reflected negligence and irresponsibility on the part of the government and demanded accountability.
Former MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, Greater Bengaluru JD(S) president H.M. Ramesh Gowda, senior leader Thimme Gowda and party spokespersons Shwetha Yadav and Narasimha Murthy were among those present at the press conference.
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