Will retire from politics if it is proved I took money for transfers: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Siddramaiah alleged that such a cash-for-transfer racket existed during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as chief minister.

“I have told you not to ask about it (Kumaraswamy’s allegations). Haven’t I responded to it already? Let him tweet (post on X) a number of times. He is speaking about what they did during his tenure (as CM),” he said in response to a question about Kumaraswamy’s attacks.

Related: BJP, JD(S) see ‘transfer scam’ in phone call between Siddaramaiah, Yathindra

‘Speaking about the money he took’

The chief minister told reporters: “He (Kumaraswamy) is speaking about the money they (Kumaraswamy and JD(S) leaders) took for transfers. They took money during his tenure. In our tenure, we have not taken any money. I have already said — I will retire from politics, if it’s proved that I have taken money in even a single case of transfer.”

He added: “Let him tweet a hundred times, I don’t want to reply.”

Continuing his attack, Kumaraswamy even alleged that an official, whose name was mentioned in the video clip, had figured in the transfer list of police inspectors released recently.

Accusing Yathindra of acting like a “super chief minister”, the JD(S) leader had even sought the resignation of Siddaramaiah over the clip.

The former chief minister continued his attack on Sunday as well. In a series of posts on X, he accused Siddaramaiah of outsourcing his Varuna constituency in the Mysuru district to his son Yathindra.

Yathindra had represented the segment from 2018 to 2023, but gave it to his father Siddaramaiah to contest from his home seat for one last time. He did not contest from any other constituency.

Also read: Senior JD(S) leader CM Ibrahim suspended for anti-party activities

‘Outsourced Varuna to son’

“The people of Varuna have chosen you (Siddaramaiah). You have to do their work yourself. Why outsource the constituency to your son? I never outsourced the constituency to my son when I was CM. You have outsourced Varuna to the son,” Kumaraswamy posted.

Noting that as far as he knows, no CM has ever outsourced his constituency to children, he accused Siddaramaiah of giving power to his son, through the backdoor, by ensuring him a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) post in the segment. “Is there any provision in the constitution that allows this? If so, let me know.”

Further stating that as far as he knows, CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility, Kumaraswamy said, “Now it has become Corrupt Son Of Siddaramaiah! Have you outsourced to your son — to do CSR collection in the state? Is he in-charge of CSR for 224 constituencies (in the state)? You seem to have your eye on the 2 per cent CSR as well.”

ಸನ್ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳೇ,
ವಿಡಿಯೋ ವಿಷಯ ವಿಷಯಾಂತರ ಮಾಡಬೇಡಿ. ನಾನು ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇನು? ನೀವು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿರುವುದೇನು? ತಿರುಚುವ, ವಕ್ರೀಕರಿಸುವ ಚಾಳಿ ಬಿಡಿ. ನೀವು ಈ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಆರೂವರೆ ಕೋಟಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ಉತ್ತರದಾಯಿ.
ಉತ್ತರ ಕೊಡಿ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ? 1/13
#CashForPosting #CorruptSonOfSiddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/yF6CVTLF5a

— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) November 19, 2023

The controversy

A recent telephonic exchange between Varuna’s former MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah and his father — Siddaramaiah — has become the focal point of controversy.

Insisting that the telephonic conversation between Yathindra and Siddaramaiah was all about a cash-for-transfer scam, Opposition parties have alleged misuse of power and demanded accountability from the Congress government in Karnataka.

The issue came to the forefront after the video of the phone conversation went viral, the BJP and the JD(S) have jointly called for an inquiry into the interaction. This reignited discussions around the purported “YST” (Yathindra Siddaramaiah Tax) — a term used by Opposition parties to accuse Yathindra of seeking commissions for transfers.

BJP and JD(S) leaders, including former Kumaraswamy and former deputy chief minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, voiced concerns about the apparent misuse of power, emphasising the need for accountability within the government.

Siddaramaiah had then refuted the allegations that the conversation was about the transfers.

“We were talking about the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) school fund to be released. He is the chairman of the Ashraya Committee,” said the chief minister.

Also read: BJP picks R Ashok as Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly

The video

A purported video of former MLA Yathindra and Siddaramaiah having a telephonic conversation went viral on Thursday.

Yathindra was carrying out a Jana Samparka meeting in Varuna on Wednesday when the telephonic conversation is said to have occurred. He is also chairman of the Ashraya Committee.

In the 48-second video, Yathindra is apparently heard saying: “No father (Siddaramaiah), who is this Mahadevappa? Give him the phone. Give him the phone. I will talk. I have given 5 only.”

It went on: “Hello, Mahadeva, why are you giving random ones? Who is giving the list there? No, tell him to do whatever I have said.” The call was then disconnected.

(With PTI inputs)