Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday urged Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to visit Bengaluru and meet candidates affected by alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitments. Kumaraswamy questioned Gandhi’s silence on the issue, particularly after he had raised concerns over recruitment examinations at the national level.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy alleged that serious irregularities had occurred in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers and veterinary officers under the Karnataka government. He called on Rahul Gandhi to interact directly with unemployed youth and understand their grievances, comparing the demand to Gandhi’s earlier interventions on the NEET issue.

Kumaraswamy, a Janata Dal (Secular) leader, also targeted Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged irregularities. He alleged that candidates were made to take an examination at a resort and claimed that question papers were provided in advance to candidates who had paid money. He further alleged manipulation of OMR sheets and maintained that the recruitment process required a transparent investigation.

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The Union Minister claimed that he had raised the matter on the basis of documents, including investigation reports, allegedly tampered OMR sheets and a sub-committee report. He also referred to a statement by the Chief Minister in the Karnataka Assembly acknowledging irregularities in the recruitment and selection of Assistant Executive Engineers in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

Kumaraswamy further questioned the handling of the investigation and raised allegations concerning the movement of the KPSC examination controller. He also questioned the appointment of Shyam Bhat as KPSC chairman and asked the state government to clarify the criteria used for the appointment. These allegations were made by Kumaraswamy and were not independently established in the material provided.

The JD(S) leader maintained that his demand was for a transparent investigation rather than political retaliation. He urged action against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing and challenged Rahul Gandhi to meet the affected candidates in Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy also accused the Congress government of failing to protect the credibility of the KPSC and argued that the controversy had damaged Karnataka’s reputation.

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