Taking on Home Minister G Parameshwara, Kumaraswamy taunted: “Stop speaking like a fake saint. First hand over Ballari case to CBI."
Published Jan 07, 2026 | 8:09 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 07, 2026 | 8:09 PM
HD Kumaraswamy. Credit: x.com/hd_kumaraswamy
Synopsis: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of overstepping authority by convening police in Ballari, questioning the Home Minister G Parameshwara’s role. He alleged a government cover-up in a party worker’s murder, citing a rushed cremation and unusual dual post-mortem. Demanding a CBI probe, Kumaraswamy warned of “jungle raj” and pressed Congress leaders to reveal their fact-finding committee’s truth.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, questioning the authority of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to convene a meeting of police officers in Ballari.
Addressing a press conference at his home office in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy asked: “Why did the Deputy CM convene a meeting of police officers in Ballari? Who gave him that authority? Does the State have a rubber-stamp Home Minister?”
He alleged that the Shivakumar’s intervention amounted to interference in the Home Department.
“I have several sources who provide me with information about these incidents. I verify the authenticity of that information before placing it before the media. Shouldn’t the truth be known to the people?” he said in response to a question.
“On what authority did the Deputy Chief Minister hold a meeting with police officers in Ballari? Why is there interference in the Home Department? A Deputy CM is still just a minister. What information will officials give to the Congress fact-finding committee? Party workers and Congress leaders themselves have filed complaints before the fact-finding committee against the MLA responsible for the incident. Then what will be the fate of your so-called investigation?” he questioned pointedly.
Kumaraswamy accused Karnataka government of attempting to suppress the truth about the Ballari incident. “The government is working in haste to cover up the entire incident that took place in Ballari. Will bullets be fired on the streets merely over the issue of erecting banners? Why was the body of the murdered party worker cremated in haste after the post-mortem? Why was the body cremated hurriedly without even allowing the family to perform the final rites? Shouldn’t the government answer all this?” he demanded.
ಗೃಹ ಸಚಿವ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ಅವರೇ,
ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಗ್ಗೊಲೆಯಾದ ನಿಮ್ಮದೇ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನತದೃಷ್ಟ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತನ ಡಬಲ್ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾರ್ಟಂ ಕಥಾನಕದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ಸತ್ಯ. ಸತ್ತ ಶರೀರವನ್ನೂ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕೆ ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೀಳು ನಡವಳಿಕೆ ಕುರಿತು ನಾನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ಅಕ್ಷರಶಃ ನಿಜ.
ಡಬಲ್ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾರ್ಟಂ ಅಸತ್ಯವಾದರೆ ಬಿಮ್ಸ್…
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) January 6, 2026
Kumaraswamy challenged Congress leaders to reveal their findings from Ballari. “What happened in Ballari was an unfortunate incident; a death naturally causes pain to everyone. Over the past week, several leaders have visited Ballari. Congress leaders went there claiming they would conduct a fact-finding exercise. Let them tell the people what truth they actually found. After all, Congress leaders never speak anything other than the truth, do they? In that case, let this committee speak the truth itself,” he said sarcastically.
Referring to his long-standing conflict with Janardhan Reddy, Kumaraswamy said: “The conflict between Janardhan Reddy and me is an old story. What will they achieve by dragging it out now? I have spoken the truth before the media without any personal hatred. I have even run a government with the Congress. At that time, weren’t these very people standing by me like a rock? Everyone spoke of unity. What happened later? They stabbed us in the back and betrayed our trust,” he alleged angrily.
Responding to Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, Kumaraswamy hit back: “First explain what contribution you and your father have made to the Gurumitkal constituency. Leave Kalyana Karnataka aside. If one looks at your own constituency, it becomes clear what development you have actually carried out. What kind of investigation are you conducting? Why were two doctors called for the post-mortem? This is the real question. If one doctor was already conducting the post-mortem, was the second doctor called in to perform rituals?”
Kumaraswamy accused the state of descending into lawlessness. “This is the digital age. Information can be accessed from anywhere. Police officers themselves are saying that if a proper investigation is conducted in this case, heads will roll. I have spoken only what I know. I do not speak merely to vent my anger. Karnataka is being turned into a jungle raj. This is an extremely serious case. Why is the Chief Minister maintaining silence on this? Has it reached a point where even if your own MLA orchestrates a murder, no one dares to question it? Tell your Home Minister and others not to speak lightly about me,” he said sharply.
Taking on Home Minister G Parameshwara, Kumaraswamy taunted: “Stop speaking like a fake saint. First hand over Ballari case to CBI. Then you will know whose heads will roll.”
He also raised questions about the post-mortem procedure. “As stated by the Director of BIMS himself, Dr. Yogeesh initially began the post-mortem. As it was allegedly delayed, another doctor, Dr Chetan, was called in. Why was he summoned? On whose orders was he called? For the first time in history, two doctors were brought in to conduct a post-mortem. Why did this happen? Who exerted pressure? To protect whom was all this done? Shouldn’t the government tell the people the truth?”
Kumaraswamy further alleged deliberate inaction by the police. “I never speak on any issue without documentary evidence. I know whom you are trying to fix as the accused. The mob that attacked Janardhan Reddy’s house could have been dispersed within five minutes. Why wasn’t it done? Who tied the hands of the police? Even as private gunmen were firing indiscriminately, the police remained silent. Why?” he questioned.
