Karnataka: Hassan DC reacts to MLA Revanna’s remarks with cryptic post

Bengaluru, Aug 24 (IANS) A war of words broke out between Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari and JD(S) MLA H.D. Revanna, son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, following the latter’s remarks questioning the officer’s posting and functioning in the district.

Revanna is the brother of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The exchange has triggered discussion in the political circle, with the Deputy Commissioner’s post coming amid an ongoing controversy over the reservation process for Gram Panchayat elections.

The Deputy Commissioner took to social media X and shared a cryptic post that read, “If they are not able to control you, they will start hating you.” The post comes days after Revanna made critical remarks about the officer while addressing the media in Hassan.

Revanna questioned the functioning of the particular officer while discussing the issue of reservation in the upcoming Gram Panchayat elections. He also made remarks ridiculing her appointment as the Hassan Deputy Commissioner.

“I have worked as an MLA for 30 years, and I have never seen such a Deputy Commissioner. I do not know from where they have brought her and posted her here,” Revanna said.

He further questioned whether the Deputy Commissioner was functioning honestly in all Assembly constituencies of Hassan district.

The remarks, made on Friday in the presence of other JD(S) leaders, have now drawn attention after the Deputy Commissioner’s social media post. Though Latha Kumari did not name Revanna or directly refer to his comments, her post is being viewed in the context of the recent criticism.

Hassan is the native district of former PM Deve Gowda, and the family enjoys influence in the district.

It can be recalled that the high-profile friction between MLA H.D. Revanna and senior IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri peaked during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Hassan district between 2017 and 2019, centring on administrative control, local crackdowns, and political interference.

Rohini Sindhuri took strict action against illegal sand storage and mining networks in the district, which allegedly drew pushback from local political functionaries tied to the ruling establishment. Tensions escalated when notices were served to local Panchayat leaders affiliated with the Janata Dal (Secular) over unauthorised activities.

H.D. Revanna, then serving as the powerful district-in-charge minister, pushed for her transfer multiple times. Sindhuri fought back legally through the courts and the Central Administrative Tribunal to maintain her administrative ground.

Revanna openly criticised Sindhuri’s administrative style and credit claims over developmental metrics, famously attributing local educational improvements (such as SSLC (Class 10) examination pass percentages) to his wife Bhavani Revanna rather than the district administration under Sindhuri.

–IANS

mka/dpb