Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy appealed to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot not to fall prey to fake allegations and petitions.
His appeal came after seven Assistant Directors of Agriculture (ADA) in Mandya district purportedly wrote to Gehlot alleging that the minister concerned was putting pressure on them through the joint director to pay him a bribe between Rs 6 and 8 lakh.
The ADAs allegedly said in the purported letter that if the corrupt practices were not stopped, then they would commit suicide with their families.
Subsequently, the Governor’s office handed over the letter to the Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma for investigation.
Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the letter fake, he ordered a CID investigation.
In the letter to Gehlot, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “I humbly pray your wisdom mind not to fall prey to such unaccountable fake allegations and fake petitions.”
The Minister also appealed to the Governor to order a preliminary probe if such incidents happen in future. If the initial investigation finds it a genuine letter, then he should order an inquiry.
“If it is found to be genuine and backed by evidence, then that case should be fit for an enquiry or else the constitutional institutions will be misused by anti- social elements and vested interests easily to bring bad name to the Government, Department and myself,” Chaluvarayaswamy said.
Stating that the letter was “purely a fake and false allegation letter”, he said he was shocked after he learnt about it. The Minister said a preliminary probe found that the ADAs have not at all written such letter.
According to him, one of the seven ADAs who allegedly wrote the letter, is Ramesh, who is not working in Mandya. The other ADAs too have said they have not written a letter to the Governor.
“It is purely a handy work of vested interests who are against me. They have falsely used all the means to tarnish my image and misuse the constitutional institution (office of the Governor).
He said it was unfortunate that the ‘fake letter’ was forwarded to the Chief Secretary with a cover letter signed by the Under Secretary of the Raj Bhavan.
“In the said letter, it was directed to inquire the content of the petition. After that letter, the whole episode has been given different shades and colours in digital and print media to tarnish my image and the State Government,” the minister said.