KPSC recruitment: Karnataka HM Kharge asks Union Minister Kumaraswamy to stop ‘hit-and-run’ allegations

Bengaluru, Aug 31 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Monday hit back at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over his allegations regarding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment case, urging him to place facts before the public instead of making what he termed “hit-and-run” accusations.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said Kumaraswamy appeared to be unaware of the facts while questioning the allegations of tampering with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets.

“The OMR sheets are under the custody of the KPSC and not under the Department of RDPR. That is common sense,” Kharge said.

He said the KPSC conducted the examination, released the selection list and recommended recruitment, and questioned why the government should be held responsible for the alleged irregularities.

“If the KPSC had done its own enquiry or had got some reports, they should have come to the government. They did not come to the government. They are the ones who conducted the exam. They are the ones who released the list. They are the ones who told us to recruit,” he said.

Kharge said the government had subsequently issued a conditional order after objections were raised regarding the recruitment, in accordance with directions of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) and the High Court.

“How has that got anything to do with the government?” he asked.

The Home Minister also questioned Kumaraswamy’s silence on KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other members of the commission.

“How come Kumaraswamy has not uttered a single word on the KPSC Chairman Shivshankarappa? Not a single word. How come he did not ask who made him a member? Who made him a chairman? Who made the other members? Who nominated the other members of the KPSC?” Kharge said.

He also questioned Kumaraswamy’s silence on former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and BJP leaders in connection with the case.

Kharge said the government would take action irrespective of the political affiliation or position of those involved.

“Whether it’s an IAS officer, whether it’s a BJP or any other party person, we will take action. We have taken action. We have already taken action,” he said.

Citing the arrest of an IAS officer, his driver and an alleged middleman, Kharge said the Karnataka Police had acted against those accused in the case.

“When an IAS officer went missing, it was the Karnataka Police that brought him back to Karnataka and arrested him. His driver was arrested by the Karnataka Police. The middleman was fleeing the country and was arrested by Karnataka Police,” he said.

Kharge also questioned the role of central agencies, including the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate and CBI, in the investigation.

“What did the IT, ED, CBI do? Nothing,” he said, alleging that the pace at which the ED was proceeding in the case raised questions about whether it was seeking to protect BJP leaders.

Kharge also targeted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his recent visit to the US and remarks on Muslims being an integral part of India.

“Mohan Bhagwatji will do anything for funds. In India, it is Hindu Rashtra. In America, we are a nation who is the most secular, most democratic, and we thrive on unity in diversity,” Kharge said.

He questioned the contrast between Bhagwat’s remarks abroad and the statements made by some BJP leaders and members of the wider Sangh Parivar in India.

“There he goes and says Muslims are a part of India. Here all these BJP leaders, their Vichar Parivar, say that you should not put up cutouts. We should not mingle, do business with them,” he said.

Kharge also alleged that Bhagwat would reiterate the idea of creating a Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat after returning to India.

He further questioned the funding arrangements for Bhagwat’s foreign visit and asked why the RSS itself was not registered in India if organisations associated with it were registered abroad for funding purposes.

“Why is RSS not registered? So all their organisations are registered outside for funding. But when they get the funding here, why is RSS not registered here?” Kharge asked.

–IANS

mka/rad