Bengaluru: KPCC spokesperson Laxman on Monday accused Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of repeatedly targeting Congress leaders to keep himself and the JD(S) relevant ahead of the 2028 Karnataka assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the KPCC office, Laxman claimed Kumaraswamy had held 148 press conferences between 2024 and August 2026, alleging that his attacks were aimed at keeping the JD(S) in the political spotlight.
Laxman said Kumaraswamy had earlier targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who chose not to respond to his statements. However, he alleged that Kumaraswamy was now targeting Minister Priyank Kharge as he was unable to accept the possibility of D.K. Shivakumar becoming chief minister.
Referring to the ongoing controversy over alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities, Laxman said Priyank Kharge had already challenged the allegations by stating that he and his family would retire from politics if their involvement was established.
He questioned whether Kumaraswamy was prepared to make a similar commitment.
Laxman also alleged that the recruitment notification for 24 Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) posts was issued during the previous BJP government and questioned the role of those appointed to the KPSC during that period.
He referred to photographs allegedly showing Basavaraj Kannale with BJP leaders and demanded that the BJP clarify how Kannale was appointed to the Tumkur University Syndicate.
The matter has now been handed over to the CID, and the truth will emerge after completion of the investigation, Laxman said.
Kumaraswamy had claimed that he would release a pen drive containing evidence, but had not done so yet, he said. “I also have a pen drive. If the documents are available, why does it take 10 days to release them?” Laxman asked.
He said the alleged examination irregularities occurred during the BJP government and that committees had been constituted to examine the issue. A five-member committee submitted its report in January 2026, he said, adding that the court had not held the selected candidates guilty and allowed them to continue in service pending the investigation.
Laxman also criticised the Election Commission, alleging large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls in Karnataka. He claimed that 16 lakh voters were absent and 66 lakh had migrated, and accused the poll panel of acting in favour of the BJP.