Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday, 16 October launched a sharp counter-offensive against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge in Bengaluru, questioning why Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Siddhartha Vihar Trust controversy — and daring the Home Minister to answer that question publicly. The remarks came after Priyank Kharge had indicated that Kumaraswamy could be questioned, if necessary, in connection with a sting operation row and a video linked to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Siddhartha Trust Controversy

The Siddhartha Vihar Trust is a public educational, cultural, and charitable trust associated with the Kharge family — including Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank Kharge, Radhabai Kharge, Rahul Kharge, and Congress MP Radhakrishna Doddamani, who is Kharge's son-in-law. The trust faces allegations that the family leveraged political influence to improperly secure government-allotted land. Additional allegations suggest the trust received undue concessions or claimed Scheduled Caste-related benefits without possessing matching aerospace expertise.

Kumaraswamy seized on the trust controversy to turn the tables on Priyank Kharge, asking pointedly why the Congress President had sought an audience with the Prime Minister over the matter if the family had nothing to answer for.

Kumaraswamy's Rebuttal on His Ministerial Record

Responding to Priyank Kharge's reported remarks that he held little significance in the Union government, Kumaraswamy said sarcastically that he did not need a certificate from the Home Minister. He cited what he described as a turnaround of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) — from a profit of roughly ₹200 crore to more than ₹1,500 crore — and said the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) had posted profits of ₹3,500 crore, with a target of at least ₹10,000 crore set for the next financial year. 'My records speak about my work. I do not need a certificate from you,' he said.

Kumaraswamy also hit back at the Congress government's earlier '40 per cent commission' and 'PayCM' campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning what the state government had itself achieved in the past three years and in the months following the change of Chief Minister.

KPSC Recruitment Allegations

Speaking at an interaction with Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) aspirants and candidates who alleged they had been denied jobs, Kumaraswamy accused the state government of systematic irregularities in public recruitment. He alleged that during Priyank Kharge's tenure as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, 24 engineers were selected through the KPSC, with 10 candidates allegedly chosen through illegal means. He questioned why the state government had issued appointment orders to all 24 despite an inquiry report recommending cancellation of the process.

The Union Minister further alleged large-scale corruption in the selection of veterinary candidates, asking why a stay order had been sought after the High Court ordered an investigation. 'If you are transparent, you should allow a fair investigation. Instead, you are misusing your authority,' he alleged.

On Police Threats and Investigation Offer

Kumaraswamy categorically denied threatening police officials, clarifying that he had only cautioned investigating officers against unnecessarily targeting young people over social media posts. He went further, inviting an investigation into his own conduct. 'I have not threatened anyone. I said that investigating officers would have to face consequences if they unnecessarily created problems. I am ready for an investigation, and it can begin with me,' he stated.

He also warned that 'time would decide' Priyank Kharge's fate, asserting that 'the day to teach him a lesson for his alleged arrogance was not far away' — remarks that signal the political temperature between the ruling Congress government and the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP alliance at the Centre is unlikely to cool anytime soon.