NDA ‘Pitamaha’ of all KPSC scams, says Karnataka CM Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday, September 2, hit out at the opposition over allegations of irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), calling the NDA the “Pitamaha” or forefather of all scams linked to the commission.
He said details of the alleged irregularities would be shared once the ongoing inquiry provides the government with the necessary information.
“We have asked our Home minister and officials to look into the KPSC scam. They are looking into it. I have not received any report yet. I only know what has been reported in the media. It is not right on my part to interfere,” Shivakumar told reporters when asked about the case and arrests made in connection with it.
He alleged that now-suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar had been appointed during the BJP’s tenure and questioned the opposition’s links with him.
“Who had links with him? They are the ones,” Shivakumar said, adding that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi had sought Sahukar’s suspension in a letter.
“There is an internal fight in the BJP. But finally, action was taken by the governor, who suspended him (Sahukar); the cabinet too approved and recommended the suspension,” he said.
Sahukar was suspended after allegations of corruption and nepotism emerged following the selection of his daughter for a government post using a purportedly false income certificate.
The Chief Minister also attacked the BJP’s ally JD(S) for raising allegations against Home Minister Priyank Kharge, saying it was unclear what evidence the party possessed.
“They don't know how much their (opposition) people are involved in all the scams linked to KPSC. NDA is the Pitamaha (the godfather/forefather) of all scams that have happened in KPSC. They have a role in all scams. Whatever information our Home minister has, we will share,” he said.
The CID is investigating alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment examination for veterinary officers, including the handling of examination records and OMR sheets and the alleged involvement of officials and others.
JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy had recently sought Kharge’s resignation, alleging that 24 Assistant Executive Engineers were recruited through the KPSC when Kharge was the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government.
Kumaraswamy had also alleged manipulation of OMR sheets, missing CCTV footage and procedural violations in the recruitment process.
On the BJP’s ongoing ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra against the Congress government, Shivakumar called it “shameful”, alleging that it was aimed at rebuilding the faction-ridden party.
“It is being done to reorganise their party. It is an attempt to unite their party amid internal squabbling. I too have a counter yatra to their padayatra. Let them do their yatra. I will inform you soon about what our yatra will be. I won't sit quietly,” he said.
Shivakumar said his government would focus on the poor, farmers, labourers and people affected by drought.
He also cited the resignation of former minister B Nagendra following allegations over the embezzlement of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, saying the opposition could not be satisfied regardless of what the government did.
