Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday, 29 September confirmed that a significant Congress conclave on education policy for southern states and measures to prevent examination irregularities was held in New Delhi, bringing together senior party leaders and chief ministers from multiple states. The meeting underscores Congress-ruled states' coordinated push to insulate public examinations from malpractice.

Who Attended and What Was Discussed

The gathering was attended by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Chief ministers and ministers from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh also participated, Shivakumar told reporters.

Discussions centred on ensuring transparency in public recruitment examinations — including those conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) — and on preventing question paper leaks, which have repeatedly embarrassed state governments across India in recent years.

Congress High Command's Guidance on KPSC Reforms

'The high command leaders have given us clear guidance on maintaining transparency in all examinations, including KPSC, and preventing paper leaks. We are committed to bringing reforms in the education sector through the Cabinet sub-committee headed by Minister U.T. Khader,' Shivakumar said.

The KPSC has faced scrutiny in the past over alleged irregularities in recruitment processes. The formation of a dedicated Cabinet sub-committee signals that the Karnataka government intends to treat examination reform as a structured administrative priority rather than an ad hoc response to controversy.

Shivakumar's Allegation on BJP Ideology in Textbooks

Shivakumar also levelled a pointed political charge, alleging that certain states are attempting to embed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ideology into school textbooks. 'In some states, there are attempts to incorporate BJP ideology into textbooks. We have been given guidance to act on national issues based on the principles that have existed here from the beginning,' he said.

The allegation echoes a wider debate in Indian education policy around curriculum revisions in BJP-governed states — a flashpoint that Congress has sought to mobilise as a national counter-narrative.

Lokayukta Complaint and Contractor Dues: Shivakumar Responds

Turning to domestic political pressures, Shivakumar dismissed a Lokayukta complaint filed against Congress MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah alleging irregularities worth ₹444 crore. 'He has been in office for only a few months. Is it possible for him to commit irregularities worth ₹444 crore in such a short period? All of that is completely false and baseless,' the Chief Minister said.

On a separate front, Shivakumar acknowledged the state's financial strain after a contractors' association wrote to the government seeking release of ₹38,000 crore in pending dues. He squarely blamed the previous B.S. Yediyurappa-led government for awarding a large volume of works and leaving behind what he described as a significant financial burden. 'Tell those holding press conferences to suggest a solution to this,' he said, adding that appropriate steps would nonetheless be taken to address the pending payments.

What Comes Next

The Cabinet sub-committee under Minister Khader is expected to outline a concrete examination reform roadmap for Karnataka. The multi-state Congress meeting suggests a coordinated legislative or policy response on education may be forthcoming ahead of the next round of state assembly sessions.