BESCOM books HD Kumaraswamy, but he blames decorator after Congress alleges ‘power theft’

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refused to respond on the matter, telling reporters that he would not “respond to anything related to Kumaraswamy”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said it was “wrong”, and that Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) officials would look into the matter.

Also read: Bengaluru registers significant dip in Deepavali pollution

Congress lampoons HDK

In a post on X, the Congress’ Karnataka unit put out a video claiming an “illegal power connection” to Kumaraswamy’s residence in JP Nagar in Bengaluru. The clip suggested that electricity was allegedly drawn directly from a nearby power line.

The Congress, in its post, mockingly suggested that if the JD(S) leader was truly facing financial hardships, he should have applied for the “Gruha Jyoti” scheme, which offers 200 units of free electricity per month for residential connections.

“The lone honest person in the world, H D Kumaraswamy’s JP Nagar residence, was illuminated with decorative lights with an illegal power connection directly from the electric pole. It is a tragedy that such poverty has struck a former CM to steal electricity!” it remarked.

The Congress highlighted the contradiction between his supposed poverty and the numerous electricity meters registered in his name.

The party emphasised its efforts to alleviate power shortages and provide seven hours of electricity to farmers while criticising Kumaraswamy for resorting to “cheap theft” during a power crisis.

The Congress also raked up Kumaraswamy’s earlier statement about Karnataka being in the dark, contrasting it with the well-lit facade of his own house.

“To ask a question in your own style: Do you need to light up your home when the state is facing drought? Do you want to have fun stealing electricity meant for the farmers? Do you want the Diwali’ (referring to bankruptcy in Kannada) of people for Deepavali festival’ in your house?” concluded the Congress.

ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರ ಜೆ ಪಿ ನಗರದ ನಿವಾಸದ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ದೀಪಾಲಂಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ಅಕ್ರಮ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಆಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಳ್ಳತನ ಮಾಡುವ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ದುರಂತ!@hd_kumaraswamy ಅವರೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 200 ಯೂನಿಟ್… pic.twitter.com/7GKHeRyQuS

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 14, 2023

Also read: No JD(S) legislator will join Congress, says HD Kumaraswamy

Private decorator blamed

In response to the allegation, Kumaraswamy — son of JD(S) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda — acknowledged it, but attributed it to a private decorator who connected the power directly from a nearby electricity pole without his knowledge.

ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನೆಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ದೀಪಗಳ ಅಲಂಕಾರ ಮಾಡಲು ಖಾಸಗಿ ಡೆಕೋರೇಟರ್ ಒಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅವರು ಮನೆಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ದೀಪಗಳ ಅಲಂಕಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆಗ ನಾನು ಬಿಡದಿಯ ತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೆ. ನಿನ್ನೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ವಾಪಸ್ ಬಂದಾಗ ಈ ವಿಷಯ ನನ್ನ…

— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) November 14, 2023

Kumaraswamy claimed that he took swift action upon learning of the unauthorised connection, having it removed and subsequently obtaining electricity through the proper meter board of the house.

Expressing regret for the indiscretion, he welcomed an inspection by BESCOM officials and pledged to pay any fines imposed.

Kumaraswamy, however, criticised the Congress for sensationalising what he deemed was a “petty issue”, asserting that he had “not engaged” in any misappropriation of “state property” or “unlawful land acquisition”.

He emphasised his lack of greediness for wealth at the expense of others’ well being.

After the Congress alleged power theft, BESCOM officials arrived at Kumaraswamy’s house and conducted a spot inspection.

BESCOM Executive Engineer Sudhakar Reddy told reporters later on Tuesday: “The department conducted a spot inspection on how many units of electricity had been stolen. The office will calculate the penalty. Kumaraswamy has agreed to pay the fine.”

Also read: Ramanagara district turf war is Shivakumar vs Kumaraswamy

‘Government will not interfere’

In response to H D Kumaraswamy’s statement on electricity theft, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar commended Kumaraswamy for acknowledging the issue and expressing willingness to pay the fine.

Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday: “It is commendable that Kumaraswamy has admitted to it and said that he will pay the fine, irrespective of whether it was carelessness or theft.”

He added: “I noticed the issue of power theft from Kumaraswamy’s house being taken up by the media. His neighbours or someone might have taken a video of the illegal electricity connection and given it to the media.”

He continued: “After that, our party’s social media unit did what it was supposed to do. Our party did what they do: Write on social media. Should we just sit and watch what they are doing?”

He also asked: “Is it not wrong if people like us — who are in a responsible position — steal like this?”

He also said: “Let’s see what action the concerned department will take. The government will not interfere in this matter. We don’t need it and we don’t have time. The BESCOM will take action.”

(With inputs from PTI)