Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday dismissed Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's allegations against the state government, asserting that Kumaraswamy was not targeting the Congress but was, in fact, engaged in a battle to wipe out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shivakumar made the remarks at a media interaction near the Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, responding to questions about Kumaraswamy's claims linking the government to the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam.

Shivakumar on Kumaraswamy's Allegations

'Kumaraswamy is not fighting against us. He is fighting against the BJP. Let him perform his duty. Let him make whatever allegations he wants to make,' Shivakumar said. The remark reframes Kumaraswamy's attack as an intra-NDA conflict rather than a Congress-versus-JD(S) rivalry — a pointed political jab given that the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) are alliance partners at the Centre.

When asked about Kumaraswamy's warning that he would release documents capable of causing a political upheaval, Shivakumar offered a two-word reply: 'Very happy.' The studied indifference signals the Congress government's confidence that the opposition's ammunition is limited.

KPSC Scam and BJP Arrests

On the arrest of BJP leaders in connection with the alleged KPSC recruitment scam, Shivakumar said he would not interfere in the investigation but would seek information on the case's progress. 'There is an internal conflict within the BJP. Who appointed the KPSC members? I cannot reveal the complete information until the entire report is submitted. Let them say whatever they want. Time will answer them,' he said. The remarks pointedly question the BJP's moral authority to raise the scam, given that KPSC appointments were reportedly made during the previous BJP administration.

BJP Padayatra and Congress Response

On the BJP's proposed padayatra, Shivakumar said the party was free to proceed and indicated that the Congress would announce its own counter-programme in due course. 'Let them undertake the padayatra. After that, I will tell you what our yatra will be. Aren't we politicians? Let them start. We had given them respect and conducted the Assembly session, but they did not discuss any issue,' he said. He added that the government intends to take up discussion of the K. Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats and issues concerning farmers, and would seek the views of legislators on these matters.

Sixth Guarantee: Land Guarantee Scheme Explained

Shivakumar also clarified details of the government's proposed sixth guarantee — the Land Guarantee scheme — stating it would not be confined to Bengaluru but would apply statewide. 'The Land Guarantee is not limited to Bengaluru. It will apply to everyone who has sacrificed their property for the government. Their names should be permanently recorded, and they should be provided appropriate compensation. They should also be given greater benefits on the land they possess. This should apply to all landowners in the state,' he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the scheme would provide beneficiaries with legally valid documents — including photographs and necessary details — to protect their property rights for future transactions such as transfers, loans, or family divisions. He noted that the initiative was originally launched during the previous Siddaramaiah government when Krishna Byre Gowda served as Revenue Minister, and is now being continued by the current administration. 'Even when converting a B-Khata into an A-Khata, there must be legal validity. If there is a bogus registration, it cannot be done,' he clarified.

With the BJP's padayatra looming and fresh KPSC arrests in the news cycle, the political temperature in Karnataka is set to rise further in the coming weeks.