He portrays himself as clean Swamy, but..: DK Shivakumar accuses HD Kumaraswamy

New Delhi: In a fierce political attack, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy of corruption, claiming he has 50 denotification cases against him. Shivakumar made these allegations during a Janandolana event in Mysuru, promising to reveal the details of Kumaraswamy's alleged misconduct.

"Kumaraswamy portrays himself as ‘Clean Swamy’, but officials have informed me that he has 50 denotification cases. I will expose his corruption," Shivakumar declared. He also mentioned that the Lokayukta had written to the Governor seeking permission to investigate Kumaraswamy, who has formed an alliance with the BJP.

Criticism of party dynamics

Shivakumar went further, accusing Kumaraswamy of hindering growth within his own party. He claimed that Kumaraswamy did not allow former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to rise within the ranks and highlighted the absence of the 17 JD(S) MPs who served during Deve Gowda’s tenure as Prime Minister from the party today. "He didn’t even spare his own nephew for his son’s political future," Shivakumar alleged, painting a picture of internal strife and ambition overshadowing loyalty.

Challenges to BJP leadership

In his speech, Shivakumar also targeted Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra, challenging him to address why his father, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, resigned twice. Shivakumar demanded explanations for allegations concerning financial transfers from Lakshmi Vilas Bank to Dubai.

"Tell the people why your father (BS Yediyurappa) resigned twice. When you (Vijayendra) come to Mysuru, you tell the people why you transferred money from Lakshmi Vilas Bank to Dubai. Time will decide who has to resign,” Shivakumar challenged, signaling a readiness for intense political confrontation.

Response to MUDA scam allegations

Shivakumar also responded to accusations of irregularities in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, defending Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, who he claimed was compensated for land encroached upon by the authority. "It is MUDA's mistake that it encroached on her land. Why is BJP and JDS trying to call it a scam?" he questioned, dismissing the allegations as baseless.

The Janandolana event served as a counter to the BJP and JD(S) leaders' padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru. Shivakumar reiterated the Congress's commitment under the leadership of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to support Siddaramaiah, emphasizing the party’s strong voter base in recent elections and predicting Congress's governance in Karnataka for the next decade.