Bengaluru, Aug 28 — Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Friday hit back at Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, over his allegations concerning IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, asserting that he knows the officer’s whereabouts and there is no need for him to disclose them to the BJP or JD(S).
Home Minister Kharge was responding to Union Minister Kumaraswamy’s criticism over the alleged disappearance of Gyanendra Kumar, who was reportedly associated with the recruitment examination process by the Karnataka State Public Service (KPSC). Reportedly his whereabouts are unknown.
Kumaraswamy had questioned Kharge’s earlier statements about the officer and alleged that the government was protecting him.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge asked, “Has the IAS officer run away, or is he with us? What does Kumaraswamy know about it?”
Kharge added that he knows where the officer is and has no obligation to disclose the information to Kumaraswamy or the BJP.
Kharge said the officer had submitted a written request seeking leave and questioned whether the government should disbelieve an official who had formally sought permission. He said the documents relating to the leave were available and added that the government would ascertain the facts when Gyanendra Kumar returned.
“If an officer asks for leave in writing, should we not believe him? How do we know whether he is lying? When he comes back, we will enquire whether he was lying,” Kharge said.
Kharge also launched a sharp attack on Kumaraswamy and the JD(S), questioning whether the party needed to target him to remain politically relevant.
“All these days I was needed by the BJP. Now I am wanted by the JD(S). If they want to stay relevant by making allegations against me, let them do it,” Kharge said.
He also referred to Kumaraswamy’s earlier criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asking whether the JD(S) and BJP had forgotten his description of the RSS as a “poisonous snake”.
“What should I comment about those who throw away principles and ethics for power?” Kharge asked, referring to the BJP-JD(S) alliance.
Kharge further alleged that attacking him had become a way for BJP and JD(S) leaders to gain political mileage.
“If they scold Priyank Kharge, they will get marks from Keshava Kripa,” he said, referring to the RSS office in Bengaluru, and alleged that leaders were making statements in the hope of getting political promotions.
The Home Minister also questioned Kumaraswamy over the Centre’s contribution to Karnataka and asked what the Union Minister had brought to the state.
“If you want to talk about the KPSC scam, the BJP and JD(S) can talk about it. But who made suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar a member of the KPSC? Who appointed him as chairman?” Kharge asked.
He also raised allegations circulating about Sahukar’s political connections and appointment, including an unverified claim that he had paid Rs 200 crore to become KPSC president. He also questioned Kumaraswamy about the presence of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra's photographs at the residence of Shivashankarappa Sahukar.
“Is it true? These are allegations being made about by your own friends,” Kharge said.