Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has challenged Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy to provide evidence linking him to alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kharge said he was ready to retire from politics if his direct or indirect involvement in any KPSC-related case was established. He also challenged the BJP and JD(S) to take responsibility if their leaders were found to have played a role in the matter.
Kharge accused Kumaraswamy of making allegations without producing documents or evidence. He said allegations should be backed by material that can be examined through a proper investigation, and described repeated claims without evidence as “hit-and-run politics”.
Kumaraswamy has demanded Kharge's resignation over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 24 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) through the KPSC for the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department. The former Karnataka chief minister has alleged that Kharge allowed the recruitment process to continue when he held the department during the previous Siddaramaiah government.
Kharge, however, said several institutions and officials are involved at different stages of the KPSC recruitment process. These include conducting examinations, preparing selection lists and forwarding the final list to the concerned department.
He said questions had been raised within the KPSC over alleged manipulation of OMR sheets, missing CCTV footage and procedural violations before the final selection process was completed. Despite these concerns, the appointments went ahead.
According to Kharge, the KPSC later formed a review committee after objections were raised regarding the selection lists. He said the ongoing investigation should establish which officials were responsible for decisions at each stage rather than simply targeting a minister politically.
The minister also referred to recruitment controversies during previous BJP governments, including allegations surrounding the police sub-inspector recruitment process. He said those now raising questions about the KPSC issue should also remember their own record in government.
Kharge maintained that there should be no attempt to protect anyone responsible for irregularities that could affect the careers of young people. He called for an impartial investigation into the roles of officials, intermediaries and anyone with political connections.
He also questioned Kumaraswamy's response to the NEET controversy and asked why similar concerns were not raised when students were facing difficulties over the examination.
Kharge said the government would respond to Kumaraswamy's allegations if they were supported by documents and reiterated that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing should face legal action.
Reader Comments 0