Karnataka: Kumaraswamy challenges Rahul Gandhi to meet scam-hit job aspirants in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Monday turned the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment controversy into a direct political challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to come to Bengaluru and meet youngsters allegedly affected by irregularities in government recruitment.

Kumaraswamy said the controversy had acquired national attention because of the alleged failure of the Congress government in Karnataka to address the concerns of unemployed youth.

“Rahul Gandhi travels across the country carrying the Constitution and engaging with students and youngsters. He should come to Bengaluru, meet the KPSC-affected youth and hear their grievances,” the JDS Karnataka unit president said while addressing the media in New Delhi.


He challenged Gandhi to show the same concern for Karnataka’s job aspirants that he had shown during the NEET controversy.

The Union minister’s remarks come amid allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I) and Veterinary Officers, including claims of question paper leaks, candidates being accommodated at resorts and manipulation of OMR sheets.

Kumaraswamy targets Kharge Jr

Kumaraswamy stepped up his attack on minister Priyank Kharge, questioning his claim that he had no knowledge of the alleged irregularities in AEE recruitment when he was heading the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department.

“How can Priyank Kharge say that he has nothing to do with this? These are allegations concerning a recruitment process under the department he headed. He cannot simply distance himself from the matter,” Kumaraswamy said.

He alleged that question papers were provided in advance to candidates who had paid money and accused the state government of attempting to shift responsibility to officials.

Kumaraswamy said he had already released investigation reports, allegedly tampered OMR sheets and a sub-committee report in support of his allegations.

“Every time I have spoken about the KPSC irregularities, I have placed documents before the public. What more documents should I provide?” he said.

He also questioned whether recruitment files relating to the appointments had reached Kharge when he was minister.

Questions over IAS officer

Kumaraswamy questioned the state government’s handling of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who was subsequently arrested by the CID in connection with the KPSC recruitment case.

He questioned the officer’s movements between Delhi, Chennai and a resort near Devanahalli, asking the government to explain where he stayed and who allegedly provided him protection.

“The issue is much larger than one officer or one appointment. The government must answer how such irregularities were allowed to continue, who was responsible and what it intends to do to restore credibility to KPSC,” Kumaraswamy said.

The Union Minister also dismissed Kharge’s challenge that he would retire from politics if the allegations were proved.

“I do not want his political retirement. My demand is simple: conduct a transparent investigation and punish whoever is guilty,” he said.

The KPSC controversy has also come under judicial scrutiny, with Kumaraswamy alleging that the state government had repeatedly sought adjournments in the case before the High Court.