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The political landscape of Karnataka is currently witnessing a heated exchange of accusations between Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Lokayukta ADGP M Chandrashekhar, both alleging “corruption and manipulation” against each other. This public spat stems from an ongoing investigation into the Gangenahalli land denotification case, in which Kumaraswamy is a figure of interest.
Kumaraswamy has vehemently accused Chandrashekhar of being a “corrupt officer under the influence of the state government” and manipulating investigations for political purposes, allegedly under the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He claims that Chandrashekhar’s actions are motivated by a promised promotion to the position of Bengaluru Police Commissioner, a role that has supposedly been used to entice several IPS officers in the past. Furthermore, Kumaraswamy alleges that Chandrashekhar, in a bid to smear his family's reputation, leaked a confidential letter from the Governor to the Lokayukta regarding the Gangenahalli case to a private news channel.
Chandrashekhar, in a strongly worded letter to his staff, has dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and countered Kumaraswamy’s accusations by stating that an “accused who is on bail” is attempting to hinder their investigation. He emphasizes that despite being a politician, Kumaraswamy is still an “accused” and his threats and accusations are a tactic to create fear among SIT officers. His letter concludes with an apt George Bernard Shaw quote: ‘Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.’
This clash between the two figures underscores the deep political divide in Karnataka. Kumaraswamy’s attacks extend beyond Chandrashekhar, targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleging that his government employs “rogue officers” to carry out politically motivated investigations. He goes as far as claiming that Chandrashekhar, originally from the Himachal Pradesh IPS cadre, obtained a transfer to Karnataka through fraudulent means and alleges a pattern of misconduct and bribery by the officer.
While Chandrashekhar has not publicly commented on the matter, his letter paints a picture of an officer determined to carry out his duties without fear or favor. He asserts his commitment to bringing all criminals to justice and promises to protect his team from external influences. This public clash has raised concerns about the integrity of the Lokayukta investigation and the potential for political interference, further deepening the already tense political atmosphere in Karnataka.