KPSC recruitment row: Kharge offers to quit politics if evidence found, dares Kumaraswamy
Priyank Kharge says he will quit politics if any evidence links him to the KPSC AEE recruitment scam; challenges H.D. Kumaraswamy to do the same.
The political slugfest over the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam intensified on Monday, with Home Minister Priyank Kharge offering to retire from politics if even a shred of evidence implicates him in the matter.
Kharge was responding to allegations by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who has claimed that Kharge was complicit in the irregular appointment of Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) in the Rural Drinking Water Supply Scheme. The appointments were made when Kharge headed the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department under the previous Siddaramaiah-led government.
"If my involvement is proven, I am ready to forego politics entirely. Even my family will not come to politics," Kharge told reporters. He turned the tables on Kumaraswamy, challenging him to retire from politics if any involvement of the BJP or JD(S) in the alleged scam is established.
Kharge questioned the basis of Kumaraswamy's accusations, pointing out that two FIRs have already been registered. "If your words carry weight, provide documents. We will get a transparent investigation," he said, adding that it was "unbecoming" of someone of Kumaraswamy's stature to make allegations without documentary proof.
Delving into the procedural aspects, Kharge noted that the KPSC had custody of the OMR sheets at the centre of the alleged manipulation. He said a three-member committee set up by the KPSC to probe irregularities was disbanded, and a five-member panel later submitted a report in haste—just a day after conditional appointment orders were issued. The findings, he added, were not shared with the government until February this year.
"The report blames the examination wing and not the government. In fact, the KPSC has the power to cancel the list," Kharge said, questioning why Kumaraswamy had remained silent on the now-suspended KPSC chairman, Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar. He also pointed to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's role in appointing Sahukar, alleging that "all corrupt members of KPSC were nominated either by Mr. Yediyurappa or the BJP."
Kumaraswamy, speaking in Delhi, remained firm in his stance, insisting that Kharge cannot distance himself from the allegations. He repeated claims that candidates were kept at resorts, question papers were provided in advance, and OMR sheets were manipulated. Kumaraswamy said he has already submitted documents and clarified that he does not seek Kharge's retirement, but rather a transparent investigation into the matter.