Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday, 28 July demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged recruitment irregularities at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), calling for a transparent, technology-driven recruitment system modelled on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Vijayendra made the demand while addressing job aspirants and students at a protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, organised by various candidate groups including KPSC aspirants.

Key Allegations Against KPSC

Vijayendra alleged that serious irregularities have surfaced in recent KPSC recruitments, particularly in the appointment of 400 Veterinary Officers. He claimed that bribes ranging from ₹80 lakh to ₹90 lakh per post were allegedly demanded from candidates, which he described as shocking to the people of Karnataka. He further alleged that a systemic arrangement has emerged over several years — including in FDA and other examinations — whereby ineligible candidates reportedly secure government jobs through payments, depriving deserving aspirants of rightful opportunities.

What the BJP Demanded

Vijayendra demanded that the Karnataka Chief Minister and the state government publicly clarify who received the alleged bribe money and who is behind the scam. He called for all recruitment irregularities, including those in KPSC, to be immediately transferred to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry, and for strict action against those found guilty. He also urged the government to overhaul the recruitment process — from the examination stage to result declaration — along UPSC lines to eliminate corruption.

Vacant Posts and the Education Sector

The BJP leader strongly condemned the government's failure to fill teaching vacancies across subjects including Physical Education, Music, Kannada, Science, and Hindi under the Department of School Education. He noted that Karnataka has been anticipating a large-scale recruitment drive for Graduate Primary School Teachers (GPSTR) for the past 15 to 20 years. Vijayendra pointed out that Congress leaders themselves had earlier informed the government that nearly 35,000 teaching posts remain vacant in the Kalyana Karnataka region, yet recruitment has not been initiated.

He also highlighted the plight of visually impaired music teachers and candidates with disabilities who have been protesting for recruitment for years without resolution. Thousands of candidates holding qualifications such as Biotechnology, Fine Arts, Physical Education, B.Com., and B.Ed. have reportedly been waiting for employment for years, with many now approaching the maximum eligible age limit.

BJP's Political Commitment

Vijayendra assured the gathering that the BJP's campaign would extend beyond street protests. He said the party would continue to raise the issue in both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council until the government provides satisfactory answers and delivers justice to job aspirants. He affirmed that all BJP legislators and leaders would stand united as the collective voice of every student and deserving candidate in the state.

This comes amid broader discontent over Karnataka's public recruitment framework, with aspirants across multiple departments citing prolonged delays, alleged corruption, and administrative inertia. The pressure on the state government is likely to intensify as the BJP formalises its legislative strategy in the coming weeks.