Discussion on housing department corruption is echoing in every street: HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru/Mandya: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has launched a scathing attack on the state Congress government, alleging widespread corruption and commission-related dealings in the housing department. He questioned whether those involved in these affairs were ministers at all and ridiculed the government’s handling of the issue.

Speaking to the media outside his residence in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy remarked, “Even Congress legislators have themselves revealed information through audio clips about the corruption in the housing department. These matters are now being discussed openly in every street. Are these departments truly functional? Are these people even ministers? There is talk that one of them is being considered for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. This is laughable.”

The former Chief Minister further alleged that all 224 MLAs are aware of the ongoing corruption in the Congress-led government. “It is as if every legislator’s fate is sealed. To implement any government programme in their constituencies, payments have to be made. This has become the norm under this government,” he claimed.

He questioned the Chief Minister’s ethics, stating, “Does this Chief Minister have any sense of dignity? He allows such corrupt people to sit beside him in the cabinet. The corruption and commission culture in this government is rampant and endless. Every MLA is facing difficulties because of it.”

‘D K Shivakumar’s dream to become CM is just a dream’

Speaking to the press in Mandya, Kumaraswamy said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s ambition of becoming Chief Minister remains only a dream. “In the Congress party, who really supports him? Whether Shivakumar becomes CM is not in our hands—it is in the hands of God,” he quipped.

Referring to the proposed privatisation of a school run by the Mysugar factory, Kumaraswamy expressed strong opposition. “I have said that this school should be developed as a model and expanded significantly. How can such public assets be handed over to private players? This is nothing short of broad daylight robbery,” he said.

‘Was H K Patil asleep all this while?’

Kumaraswamy also questioned Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil’s recent letter recommending an inquiry into mining activities. “He has been a minister in this government for two years and has now written a letter. What was he doing all this while? In fact, in 2015-16, it was the same H K Patil who had recommended a probe and even submitted a report as the chairperson of a sub-committee. What has he done with that report in the last two years? Was he just offering daily prayers to it?” Kumaraswamy asked sharply.