Karnataka Minister Accuses Opposition of Corruption Amid Political Turmoil

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil accused opposition parties, primarily the BJP and JDS, of corruption during their tenures. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar threatened to expose corruption involving JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and criticized BJP's destabilization efforts, asserting Congress's ongoing rule in Karnataka.

On Friday, Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil leveled corruption accusations against opposition parties, specifically targeting top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS). Patil asserted, "The BJP should reflect on their own record. Under their rule from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2023, Karnataka witnessed some of the highest levels of corruption, earning them the moniker '40% government'."

Further implicating BJP and JDS leaders, Patil pointed to corruption allegations against former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, his son B. Y. Vijayendra, and JDS leader H. D. Kumaraswamy. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, addressing the Janandolana event in Mysuru, claimed there are 50 de-notification cases against Kumaraswamy, promising that he would expose these misdeeds. Shivakumar added that the Lokayukta had written to the Governor on the issue, alleging Kumaraswamy sought refuge in the BJP.

Shivakumar criticized Kumaraswamy's political maneuvers, accusing him of betraying allies and hindering party members' progress, emphasizing, "Kumaraswamy backstabbed Yediyurappa by not transferring power as agreed. He even stifled Siddaramaiah's growth." Shivakumar further dismissed the opposition's allegations of irregularities involving the CM's wife in the MUDA case, stating, "The compensation was due to a mistake by MUDA." Shivakumar ended his speech by affirming Congress's resolve to maintain its governance for another decade.

(With inputs from agencies.)