Bengaluru, Aug 31 (IANS) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday appealed to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to visit Bengaluru and meet candidates affected by alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment irregularities, questioning why he had not spoken about the issue despite raising recruitment‑related concerns at the national level.
“Rahul Gandhi should come to Bengaluru and interact with the youth affected by the KPSC irregularities. He should understand for himself the alleged irregularities taking place under the Congress government and take up the issue in the same manner in which he fought over the NEET issue,” Kumaraswamy said at a press conference in New Delhi.
Kumaraswamy, who arrived in the national capital from Bengaluru on Monday morning, said the KPSC controversy had now reached the national level and was bringing a negative reputation to Karnataka. “This is the result of the state government’s failure. Rahul Gandhi will have to speak about this,” he said.
The Janata Dal (Secular) leader launched a fresh attack on Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, alleging that he could not distance himself from irregularities in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade‑I) when Kharge was serving as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister.
Kumaraswamy alleged that candidates were made to sit in a resort and write an examination after being provided question papers, with answers marked on OMR sheets. He claimed the recruitment process involved serious irregularities, including manipulation of OMR sheets, and said candidates who had paid money were given question papers in advance.
“Normally, examinations are conducted in schools and colleges. But an examination conducted under Priyank Kharge’s department was held by making candidates sit in a resort. As far as I know, this may be the first such experiment in the country,” he said sarcastically.
Kumaraswamy said LoP Rahul Gandhi should hold an open interaction with unemployed youth in Bengaluru over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers and veterinary officers. “If he is in the country, he should immediately come to Bengaluru and listen to the grievances of unemployed youth. His experience will expand further if he comes to Karnataka,” he added.
He also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the alleged recruitment irregularities while accusing the Congress government of failing to protect the integrity of a constitutional institution such as the KPSC.
Responding to Kharge’s demand that he produce documents to substantiate his allegations, Kumaraswamy said he had repeatedly raised the KPSC issue on the basis of documents, including investigation reports, allegedly tampered OMR sheets and a sub‑committee report.
“The Chief Minister himself has stated in the Assembly that irregularities had taken place in the recruitment and selection of Assistant Executive Engineers in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. I have released that statement as well. What more documents should I provide?” Kumaraswamy asked.
He said he was ready to send all the documents to Kharge’s residence if he was unable to understand them. Kumaraswamy further alleged that Kharge was attempting to cover up the issue and said questions would naturally arise about the minister’s role if he claimed to have not known about recruitment‑related developments in his own department.
Kumaraswamy also criticised the state government’s handling of the case, claiming that the matter had come up before the Karnataka High Court around 12 times and that the government had attempted to delay proceedings on various grounds.
He said the issue of alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers came to his attention after reports appeared in the media. “I have no personal enmity or jealousy towards Priyank Kharge. My demand is only that there should be a transparent investigation and that those responsible should be punished,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also referred to Kharge’s reported challenge that he would retire from politics if the allegations were proved, saying he did not want Kharge to retire but asked him to clarify whether files relating to the selection and appointment of candidates had come before him when he was Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister.
He alleged that information about the irregularities was known to people within the government, including Kharge, and claimed that concerns over alleged OMR‑sheet manipulation intensified after the Enforcement Directorate entered the investigation.
He raised questions about the movements of the KPSC examination controller, alleging that the official had gone missing, travelled to Delhi, stayed at a resort, later travelled to Chennai and subsequently stayed at a resort in Devanahalli for three days. “All this looks like a film story. It is becoming increasingly clear that someone is behind it,” he alleged.
He further accused Kharge of giving incorrect information about the official’s detention, claiming that the CID had brought the officer back from Uttar Pradesh.
Kumaraswamy also questioned the appointment of Shyam Bhat as KPSC chairman, asking the state government to explain the criteria used for his selection. He referred to an alleged earlier controversy involving Bhat and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and claimed that Congress leaders were maintaining silence over the alleged irregularities in the KPSC.
“Priyank Kharge has to explain on what basis Shyam Bhat was appointed KPSC chairman. Have you forgotten that you too were a minister in that Cabinet?” Kumaraswamy asked.
He said his demand was not political revenge but a transparent probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities and punishment for those found responsible.
–IANS
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