Will retire from politics, if…: Siddaramaiah on ‘cash for transfer’ attack

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

Siddaramaiah said, “He (Kumaraswamy) is talking about the money they (Kumaraswamy and JDS leaders) took for transfers. They took money during his tenure. During our tenure we did not take any money. I have already said, I will do it. withdraw from politics, if it is proven that I took money even in a single transfer.”

“Let him tweet a hundred times, I don’t want to reply,” the Karnataka Chief Minister added.

Kumaraswamy had recently spoken about a phone conversation between Yathindra and Siddaramaiah, which was widely circulated on social media, alleging ‘cash for messages/transfers’. The alleged charge has been completely dismissed by CM Siddaramaiah and his son.

Kumaraswamy has alleged that an official, whose name was mentioned in a telephone conversation between Siddaramaiah and his son Siddaramaiah, featured in the recently released transfer list of police inspectors.

The JD(S) state president accused Yathindra of behaving like a “Super Chief Minister” and even requested Siddaramaiah’s resignation through a video clip.

In a series of posts on social media ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Kumaraswamy accused Siddaramaiah of outsourcing his Varuna constituency in Mysuru district to his son Yathindra.

“The people of Varuna elected 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.

Yathindra represented Varuna constituency from 2018 to 2023. In 2023, he ceded the seat to his father Siddaramaiah to contest from his home seat and did not contest from any other constituency.

Kumaraswamy accused Siddaramaiah of giving power to his son through the back door by getting him a post in the Karnataka Development Program (KDP) in the constituency. ‘Is there a provision in the constitution that allows this? If so, please let me know.’

“CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility,” said Kumaraswamy, “Now it has become the Corrupt Son of Siddaramaiah! Have you outsourced the CSR collection in the state to your son? Is he responsible for CSR for 224 constituencies (in the state)? It seems you are also keeping an eye on the 2 percent CSR,” PTI reported Kumaraswamy.

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Updated: Nov 19, 2023 6:53 PM IST