Bengaluru: Congress leader S. Manohar has demanded that Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy publicly release documents and evidence supporting his repeated allegations of corruption and sting operations.
Criticising Kumaraswamy’s recent choice of words, Manohar said his statements were not befitting the stature of a person holding a constitutional office. Instead of making political allegations, Kumaraswamy should produce supporting evidence and initiate legal action against those found guilty, he said.
The Congress leader raised 10 questions concerning Kumaraswamy’s political positions, alliance with the BJP, statements on CD and pen drive cases, and his stand on various investigations.
Congress lists 10 questions
The questions raised by the Congress include:
- Where are the pen drive documents? If Kumaraswamy possesses evidence of corruption, why has he not made it public?
- What is his position on CD and pen drive cases? Will he disclose the information and documents available to him?
- Why has he allied with the BJP despite earlier criticism? What political or ideological basis justifies his present alliance with leaders he had previously opposed?
- Does he follow the same standard on judicial proceedings? While questioning Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to approach the court, what is his response to judicial proceedings concerning allegations against him?
- Are his political positions driven by the pursuit of power? How should the public interpret his political commitments given his alliances with different parties?
- What is his stand on the women affected in the Prajwal Revanna case? Will he fully support a fair investigation and legal action?
- Does he apply the same standard to investigations? While demanding a CBI probe into the alleged sting operations, has he made the same demand in the Prajwal Revanna and Ramesh Jarkiholi cases?
- What has he achieved on the Bidadi township and NICE projects? What were the outcomes of the campaigns he pursued on these issues?
- Does he possess evidence of KPSC irregularities? Will he release documents and evidence relating to alleged recruitment irregularities?
- What is the basis for his prediction about the 2028 elections? What supports his claim that a coalition government will be formed? The Congress, meanwhile, expressed confidence that it would win more than 150 seats and return to power.
‘Back allegations with evidence’
Manohar said political differences were natural, but public representatives should maintain dignity in their words and conduct. Those making corruption allegations should present supporting documents and cooperate with the legal process, he added.
He urged Kumaraswamy to release the evidence if he had documents to substantiate his claims, and to stop making unsubstantiated allegations otherwise.
Several Congress functionaries attended the press conference, including Bengaluru Central Publicity Committee president S. Prakash, Bengaluru North Congress Committee vice-president Kushal Haruvegowda and KPCC media spokespersons Anand Kumar, M.S. Umesh, Lakshminarayan, Puttaraju, Ranjith, Obalesh Maran, Kishore, Pavan and Abhi.
