Bengaluru: Calling former CM HD Kumaraswamy a sadist, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday came to his son and Congress leader Dr Yathindra’s rescue over a viral video, purportedly depicting him as indulging in ‘cash for transfers’ scam.
“Is the video talking anything about transfers? It is not. He (Dr Yathindra) was talking about the CSR fund. He is the Ashraya committee chairman and ex-MLA, I have asked him to look after my constituency (Varuna). I have never indulged in transfers in my career. We are repairing some schools, and using CSR funds for it,” he told reporters here.
Earlier, JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy accused Dr Yathindra and his father Siddaramaiah of indulging in ‘cash for transfers’ scam.
The video depicts Dr Yathindra purportedly speaking to Siddaramaiah over phone and asking him to consider only the list he had sent.
Also taking to X, Siddaramaiah said: “Varuna Constituency Ashraya Committee Chairman and KDP member Dr. Yatindra has been tirelessly working for the development of the region, including improving the government schools using CSR funds.
Yathindra was discussing the list of beneficiary schools for the development. Kumaraswamy has twisted this phone conversation which happened in front of the public to falsely attribute it to corruption in transfers.”
Siddaramaiah said Kumaraswamy is making such allegations due to his insecurity in politics and pessimistic attitude which does not allow him to think beyond corruption.
“Unfortunately, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was involved in rampant corruption during his tenure, thinks all are like him. His pessimistic attitude does not allow him to think beyond corruption.
“His insecurity in politics often forces him to fabricate fake stories to paint a negative picture of his political opponents. The same has happened with respect to the recent public phone conversation between me and my son about the development of schools in Varuna constituency,” he said on his official X handle.
Siddaramaiah also alleged that Kumaraswamy is attempting to personally defame him after his party lost miserably in the last assembly election, but now has gone a step further to hurt his family and his ulterior political motives. “This has exposed his sadistic mindset,” he flayed.
The CM said though Dr Yathindra did not contest the elections, he remains committed to the development of Varuna. “Kumaraswamy’s false allegations are nothing but his cruel attempt to mentally disturb my son,” he said.
He also sought former PM Deve Gowda’s intervention to advise his son to avoid becoming an object of ridicule amongst Kannadigas. “HD Kumaraswamy seems to have forgotten that his wife and son are also in politics. I refrain from stooping to Kumaraswamy’s level and speaking about his family in the same manner,” he added.
The video depicts Congress leader Dr Yathindra speaking on phone, addressing the recipient as “Appa” (father) while talking about a specific list.
Dr Yathindra is seen expressing dissatisfaction with a different list, and purportedly asks Siddaramaiah to hand over the phone to a person named Mahadev who had provided the list.
The identity of Mahadev and his role in public matters have raised serious questions against the Siddaramaiah government.
Mahadev has been in the thick of controversies on a couple of occasions in the past. He allegedly had drafted an additional list of 40 transfers without Labour Minister Santosh Lad’s knowledge, but with the consent of CM Siddaramaiah.
Taking note of Mahadev’s indulgence in public matters, Lad had urged Siddaramaiah to sack him from his purported position as Officer on Special Duty to the CM.
Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy said that the video clip is clinching evidence, exposing the government involved in “cash for transfers” scam.
“The CMO has been turned into a centre of “cash for transfers” unit by the father king and Karnataka’s collection prince, his son. The video is a testimony that the CM and his son are doing transfer business shamelessly and unhesitatingly, bringing insult to the state,” he said.
“One can imagine what proportion of corruption is going on within the four walls if it is being practised at a public place,’ he alleged.
Kumaraswamy also sought an answer whether Dr Yathindra is indulging in government matters as a Super CM. “Is this person, who dares the CM over phone and tells him that only his list should be cleared, a CM’s son or Karnataka’s Super CM of Karnataka? Or is he the minister for cash for posting? Or is he minister of extortion?” he asked.
“Explain to us Mr. Siddaramaiah, for how much percent you and your son have sold the posts? What is your cut? What is the share of your team at the office?” he further questioned.
“You (CM Siddaramaiah) are claiming that whatever I say is a lie. The truth has revealed itself before the people. They will decide whether the content in the video is a fake or genuine and will be decided by the people of the state. I will face the consequences if it is fake. You, being a great leader of the Ahinda movement, should give answer to the video of your extortion ..,” Kumaraswamy said.
