KPSC scam row: Kharge, Balakrishna hit back at Kumaraswamy over Congress attack
Synopsis
The KPSC scam blame war sharpened on Tuesday as Karnataka's Congress ministers turned the tables on Kumaraswamy — pointing to a BJP-nominated KPSC chairman and demanding proof of any ministerial link. With an IAS officer already arrested and investigations ongoing, the political stakes in Karnataka are climbing fast.
Key Takeaways
Priyank Kharge and H.C.
Balakrishna publicly rebutted H.D.
Kumaraswamy 's KPSC scam allegations on 1 September in Bengaluru .
Kharge challenged Kumaraswamy to prove even one instance of Congress ministerial involvement, staking his political career on the outcome.
Kharge pointed out that the KPSC chairman is a BJP -nominated appointee and that OMR sheets remain under the commission's custody.
Balakrishna urged Kumaraswamy to focus on creating jobs in his constituency rather than levelling allegations.
The row was triggered by Kumaraswamy's Sunday attack questioning the movements of arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar .
The KPSC scam involves allegations of paper leaks, resort-based coaching, and OMR sheet manipulation during recruitment drives.
Karnataka Ministers Priyank Kharge and H.C. Balakrishna on Tuesday, 1 September fired back at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy after he attacked the Congress government over the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam, challenging him to prove any ministerial involvement and accusing him of practising 'hit-and-run' politics.
Kharge's Direct Challenge to Kumaraswamy
Minister for Home, IT and BT Priyank Kharge took sharp aim at Kumaraswamy's allegations, demanding that the Union Minister establish a concrete link between any Congress minister and the alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment process. Kharge questioned who had arranged resort stays and coaching for KPSC examination candidates — pointing the finger back at the opposition.
'Who took them to the resort and arranged training for the KPSC examinations? Being a former Chief Minister, he should speak responsibly. Who is responsible for conducting the examinations? Is it the responsibility of our department? It is the KPSC's job,' Kharge said.
He further noted that the KPSC chairman — described as a BJP-nominated appointee — held direct responsibility for the commission's functioning, including custody of answer sheets. 'Who writes the examination? Under whose custody are the OMR sheets kept? They are kept by the KPSC,' Kharge said.
In a pointed challenge, Kharge dared Kumaraswamy to prove even a single instance of his personal involvement. 'Have I gone to a resort and got the examination written? Let him prove even one case of my involvement. If he does, I am ready to retire from politics. Is he ready to retire from politics?' he asked.
Balakrishna Urges Kumaraswamy to Focus on Jobs
Minister for Municipal Administration H.C. Balakrishna took a different tack, urging Kumaraswamy — who holds the Union portfolio of Heavy Industries and Steel — to channel his energy into generating employment rather than levelling political charges. 'You should work towards creating jobs for the youth in your constituency by establishing industries. Making false allegations will not help you or your party,' Balakrishna said.
He also cautioned all political actors against escalating the war of words. 'Everyone is in a glass house in the current situation. If there is an investigation, everyone could come under scrutiny,' he said, adding that voters would ultimately deliver their verdict.
What Triggered the Row
The counter-offensive followed a Sunday broadside by Kumaraswamy, in which he questioned the movements of arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and demanded accountability from State Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged KPSC irregularities. The scam centres on alleged manipulation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-era commission's recruitment processes, with arrests already made. This is the latest episode in an ongoing political blame game between the ruling Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S))-BJP combine over accountability for the scandal.
The Broader Political Context
The KPSC recruitment controversy has dogged Karnataka politics for months, with allegations of paper leaks, resort-based coaching, and manipulation of OMR sheets. Notably, the commission's current chairman was appointed during a previous non-Congress tenure, a point the ruling party has repeatedly invoked to deflect responsibility. Critics argue that regardless of who appointed the chairman, the state government's oversight role cannot be entirely disclaimed. The dispute is expected to intensify as investigations proceed and the political stakes ahead of future elections rise.
Point of View
But it sidesteps the core question: what did the Home Ministry know, and when? Kumaraswamy's 'hit-and-run' style, as Kharge labels it, has a mirror image in the Congress response — both sides are performing outrage rather than advancing accountability. With an IAS officer already in custody, the investigation will eventually cut through the noise, and whichever party's fingerprints appear on the process stands to pay a steep electoral price.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC recruitment scam in Karnataka?
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam involves allegations of paper leaks, resort-based coaching for candidates, and manipulation of OMR sheets during government job recruitment drives. An IAS officer, Gyanendra Kumar, has been arrested in connection with the case, and the controversy has triggered a political blame game between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) opposition.
Why did Priyank Kharge challenge Kumaraswamy to retire from politics?
Kharge issued the challenge to underline his confidence that no evidence links him to the KPSC irregularities. He said he would retire from politics if Kumaraswamy could prove even one instance of his personal involvement, and asked whether Kumaraswamy was equally willing to step back if he could not.
Who is responsible for the KPSC according to the Congress ministers?
Congress ministers argued that the KPSC chairman — described as a BJP-nominated appointee — bears primary responsibility for the commission's functioning, including the conduct of examinations and custody of OMR sheets. They contended that the Home Ministry has no direct role in running KPSC examinations.
What did H.D. Kumaraswamy allege about the KPSC scam?
On Sunday, Union Minister Kumaraswamy questioned the movements of arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and demanded accountability from State Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment process. He targeted the Congress government's handling of the matter.
What did H.C. Balakrishna say to Kumaraswamy?
Minister H.C. Balakrishna urged Kumaraswamy, as Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, to focus on attracting industries and creating jobs for youth in his constituency rather than making what he called false allegations against the state government. He also warned that all political leaders risk scrutiny if investigations are widened.
