Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has taken a sharp jibe at Congress leader and CM’s Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, mocking his recent U-turn on corruption allegations and describing his initial remarks as a rare moment of truth from within the Congress ranks.
The controversy started when Rayareddy, speaking at a regional imbalance review meeting in Koppal district, acknowledged the lack of progress and ongoing corruption in the Kalyana Karnataka region. However, he later backtracked, clarifying that his comments were not a direct accusation against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, and that the CM is actively working to root out corruption.
Kumaraswamy, in a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), responded:
“There is no need for the Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddy, to take a U-turn. He has only spoken the truth. Rayareddy’s statement itself is evidence of how sincerely Karnataka Congress leaders follow Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan, Satyameva Jayate.”
He went further, accusing the Congress of perpetuating scams under the Siddaramaiah regime, and defended the JD(S) government’s track record during his tenure as Chief Minister:
“When I was Chief Minister, contractors were paid regularly and promptly. There was no question of delays. In my administration, commission rackets never reached the steps of Vidhana Soudha.”
Kumaraswamy also attacked Congress for what he called the “East India Company-style loot” of Karnataka and questioned Rayareddy’s “moral authority” to target the JD(S) while being part of such a government.
In response, Rayareddy clarified his remarks during a press conference in Bengaluru, saying:
“It’s half true. I said that the Siddaramaiah government is doing everything, but unfortunately there are no works happening and some corruption is happening in the Kalyana Karnataka region… Don’t twist my statement.”
He reiterated that he had already discussed these issues with the CM, who is “very much at work to eradicate corruption.” Rayareddy also called for curbing frequent transfers in revenue-generating departments, calling it key to reducing corruption.
The exchange has once again intensified the political friction between the Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka, with both parties trading barbs over governance and integrity.