A recent video featuring Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has ignited a fierce political debate in Karnataka, raising allegations of interference and impropriety. The video captures a phone conversation between Yathindra Siddaramaiah and his father during a public grievance meeting in Varuna constituency, shedding light on a purported list of finalised names for government positions.
During a public grievance hearing in Chatnahallipalya village, Yathindra Siddaramaiah revealed a list of names for government appointments, insisting that only those he mentioned should be considered. The video showcases a heated exchange between Yathindra, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and a certain Mahadev, identified as the Chief Minister’s special duty officer. Allegations suggest that Yathindra was adamant about only approving the names he provided, leading to accusations of undue influence.
R. Mahadev, the Chief Minister’s Special Duty Officer, has come under scrutiny in the past for alleged interference in government matters. Minister Santosh Lad previously accused Mahadev of preparing a transfer list without consulting ministers, sparking discontent within the government. The controversy surrounding Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s video suggests that Mahadev’s actions in this instance have fuelled tensions and raised questions about his role and influence.
Former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy expressed strong condemnation, linking the incident to a broader “CashForPosting” scam. Kumaraswamy accused the Siddaramaiah duo of exploiting government positions for personal gain and questioned the power dynamics within the Karnataka government. He demanded transparency regarding the Chief Minister’s son’s involvement in the decision-making process.
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the video pertained to discussions about the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund, specifically related to school building repairs. He vehemently denied any involvement in a transfer scam and expressed readiness to retire from politics if proven otherwise.
Kumaraswamy countered, demanding documents related to the CSR fund issue for verification. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Sivakumar defended Yathindra Siddaramaiah, asserting that the video focused on discussions about the CSR fund for school repairs. He accused the opposition parties of exaggerating the situation and insisted that there was no ongoing officer transfer activity. Sivakumar urged critics to let Yathindra grow and downplayed the controversy as politically motivated.
As the political storm rages on, Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s video continues to be a focal point, with Opposition leaders and ruling party members offering contrasting perspectives on the unfolding events in Karnataka.