Kumaraswamy accuses Priyank Kharge of using Home portfolio to bury KPSC scam
Synopsis
H.D. Kumaraswamy has turned the heat on Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge with a pointed question: did Kharge take charge of the Home Department specifically to bury a forensic-flagged KPSC recruitment scam that occurred on his own watch as Rural Development Minister? The allegation, backed by a reference to a ₹3 lakh High Court fine on Kharge's officials, puts the Congress minister on the defensive at a politically sensitive moment in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy on 28 August accused Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge of taking the Home portfolio to suppress alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities.
The alleged irregularities relate to the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I) when Kharge headed the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Ministry.
Kumaraswamy cited a forensic laboratory report indicating irregularities and questioned why no FIR has been registered.
A High Court reportedly imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on officials from Kharge's department.
Kumaraswamy also opposed the proposed KIADB acquisition of 169 acres of fertile agricultural land in Mysuru and pledged to visit affected farmers in Madaralli .
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday, 28 August levelled sharp allegations against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, accusing him of taking charge of the Home Department to suppress alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process. Kumaraswamy made the allegations while speaking to reporters in Mysuru.
The Core Allegation
Kumaraswamy alleged that widespread irregularities had occurred in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I) during the period when Kharge served as Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR). He questioned why Kharge had not spoken about the alleged scam while heading the RDPR Ministry and why no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered against those responsible.
'I want to ask Priyank Kharge: Who was the department minister when this recruitment took place? After the irregularities in the selection process came to light, did you take the Home portfolio to suppress the issue? Why was an FIR not registered against those responsible?' Kumaraswamy said.
Forensic Report and High Court Fine
Kumaraswamy further alleged that a forensic laboratory report had indicated irregularities in the recruitment process, yet no FIR was filed. He also pointed to a recent High Court ruling in which a fine of ₹3 lakh was reportedly imposed on officials from Kharge's department, citing it as evidence of administrative lapses under his watch. 'You say everything was transparent during your tenure. But your department faced criticism in the High Court yesterday,' Kumaraswamy said.
Broader Political Salvoes
Beyond the KPSC issue, Kumaraswamy hit out at Kharge over his repeated criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying, 'You keep saying that the RSS is a danger to the country. In reality, the Congress is a danger to the country.' He also questioned Kharge's criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) alliance, and countered with a reference to the Indian National Congress (Congress) reportedly shifting alliances in Tamil Nadu from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
NICE Road Toll and KIADB Land Acquisition
Kumaraswamy also took aim at Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi over his statement that toll collection on the NICE road could not be halted, as the state government's agreement with NICE reportedly remains valid for another 10 years. Kumaraswamy said the minister appeared to lack complete information on the matter and urged him to consult legal experts before making public statements.
Separately, reacting to the proposed acquisition of 169 acres of agricultural land by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in Mysuru for industrial use, Kumaraswamy said he would oppose the move if the land was fertile. 'If it is fertile agricultural land, I will not allow it to be acquired under any circumstances. I will personally visit the spot and support the farmers,' he said. He added that he plans to visit the affected land in Madaralli in the Varuna Assembly constituency of Mysuru district to assess the situation and meet farmers directly.
The escalating war of words between Kumaraswamy and the Karnataka government signals deepening friction between the BJP–JD(S) combine and the ruling Congress ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged period in Karnataka.
Point of View
He frames the portfolio shift itself as evidence of a cover-up, a harder charge to rebut than a policy disagreement. The reference to a forensic report and a High Court fine gives the allegation procedural weight, even if the underlying facts remain contested. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural pattern: Karnataka's public service commission has faced recruitment integrity questions across multiple governments, and the absence of an FIR despite a forensic flag is a legitimate accountability question regardless of party affiliation. Kumaraswamy's simultaneous jabs at the NICE road toll and KIADB land acquisition suggest a coordinated opposition offensive rather than isolated grievances.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC recruitment irregularities case that Kumaraswamy raised?
The case relates to alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission's recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I), which reportedly occurred when Priyank Kharge was serving as Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. Kumaraswamy alleges a forensic laboratory report flagged the irregularities but no FIR has been registered.
Why is Kumaraswamy linking the KPSC case to Priyank Kharge's Home portfolio?
Kumaraswamy alleges that Kharge took charge of the Home Department specifically to suppress investigation into the KPSC scam that allegedly occurred under his earlier ministry. Kharge has not publicly responded to this specific allegation.
What was the High Court fine mentioned by Kumaraswamy?
Kumaraswamy stated that the High Court imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on officials from Kharge's department, citing it as evidence of administrative lapses. He did not specify the exact case or date of the ruling in his remarks.
What did Kumaraswamy say about the KIADB land acquisition in Mysuru?
Kumaraswamy opposed the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board's proposed acquisition of 169 acres of agricultural land in Mysuru, saying he would not allow fertile farmland to be taken under any circumstances. He pledged to personally visit the Madaralli area in the Varuna Assembly constituency to meet affected farmers.
What is the political context of Kumaraswamy's attack on Kharge?
Kumaraswamy, a Union Minister and JD(S) leader allied with the BJP, has been a vocal critic of Karnataka's ruling Congress government. His remarks in Mysuru on 28 August targeted multiple Congress ministers — Kharge on KPSC, and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on the NICE road toll issue — indicating a broad opposition offensive against the state government.
