NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy has erupted in the Karnataka Congress after aides of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar reportedly clashed at Delhi’s Karnataka Bhavan. The incident came to light on Saturday after a copy of a complaint filed by H. Anjaneya, Special Officer to Deputy CM Shivakumar, went viral on social media.
As per the complaint dated July 22, Anjaneya, who is posted as Deputy Coordinator with the Resident Commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, accused C. Mohan Kumar, Assistant Resident Commissioner and special officer to CM Siddaramaiah of threatening him in front of staff members. He also alleged that Kumar tried to assault him in the presence of other staff members.
“Mohan Kumar has been obstructing me from performing my duties ever since I joined service. He told me that he would remove his boots and thrash me in his chamber. He even attempted to attack me outside his chamber in the presence of staff member Pramila and others. I am a Group B officer and currently serving as the Special Officer to the Dy CM. If anything happens to me – if I meet with an accident or face any harm – Mohan Kumar should be held responsible,” news agency IANS quoted Anjaneya as saying in his complaint.
The Shivakumar aide further accused the special officer to Siddaramaiah of having assaulted one MM Joshi previously.
“With the arrogance of being the Special Officer to the CM, he wants the administration to function according to his whims. Though I am a senior in service, during his tenure, he prevented me from working even as an in-charge accountant,” he said in the complaint.
Anjaneya has demanded a departmental inquiry against Kumar over attempted assault, use of abusive language, obstruction of duty, and alleged denial of promotions.
The incident has given the Opposition BJP in Karnataka fresh ammo to target the Congress government, with Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka claiming that the central leadership has completely lost control over the party state unit.
“The public slugfest between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has crossed every limit, from backroom politics to open threats in Karnataka Bhavan, Delhi,” he said.
The BJP leader further stated, “If this is the state of governance, how can anyone trust the Congress-led government in Karnataka to run the state? This power struggle isn’t just embarrassing, it’s dangerous.”
“The Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps are tearing into each other, settling scores round after round, while the so-called high command sits helpless in Delhi, leaving Karnataka leaderless and adrift,” Ashoka said, adding, “Karnataka deserves better than this circus and anarchy.”
Agencies