Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) media and communications department president Ramesh Babu has hit out at Union minister H D Kumaraswamy over his allegations against state minister Priyank Kharge, calling them a continuation of “politics of personal vendetta” and opportunism.
In a media statement, Ramesh Babu said Kumaraswamy, being a Union minister, was expected to act responsibly. Instead, he had repeatedly levelled allegations against the state government, chief minister and ministers, thereby revealing his political stance, he alleged.
Referring to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Ramesh Babu said the constitutional recruitment body had been functioning since 1951 and had faced several allegations and investigations in the past. The latest allegations should also be examined in this broader context, he said.
He alleged that people had not forgotten the controversies surrounding appointments and alleged irregularities during the tenures of former KPSC chairpersons Gomal Bhimappa and H N Krishna. Kumaraswamy should clarify who wielded influence or provided political patronage behind those episodes, Ramesh Babu demanded.
Ramesh Babu further alleged that by dragging Priyank Kharge’s name into the KPSC issue, Kumaraswamy was attempting to defend the Sangh Parivar. He questioned whether the Union minister had changed his earlier positions to protect his ministerial position at the Centre.
Referring to Kumaraswamy’s earlier criticism of the RSS, Ramesh Babu questioned the reason behind his alleged change of tone towards the Sangh Parivar.
He said Kumaraswamy’s latest allegations should be viewed as part of “opportunistic politics” if his positions were changing according to circumstances.
Ramesh Babu also pointed out that several projects in Karnataka were awaiting approval from the Centre. As Union minister for heavy industries, Kumaraswamy should raise his voice for Karnataka’s development and interests instead of engaging in what he described as “politics of vendetta” against the chief minister, home minister and Congress, he said.
He urged Kumaraswamy to demonstrate his commitment to the overall development and interests of Karnataka.
