‘No need for U turn, only spoken truth’: Union Minister Kumaraswamy takes jibe at Congress leader Rayareddy’s ‘corruption’ remark

BENGALURU: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy took a sarcastic jibe towards Congress leader Basavaraj Rayareddy, taking a “u-turn” over his remarks on corruption and unfinished projects in the state.

Rayareddy attended a meeting in the Koppal district office to discuss regional imbalance. During the meeting, the CM’s economic advisor highlighted that certain works are not being completed in the area. However, he clarified that he is not accusing the state government of corruption and has talked to CM Siddaramaiah about eradicating corruption.

Replying to the Rayareddy’s comments on X, Kumaraswamy wrote on Thursday, “There is no need for the Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddy, to take a U-turn. He has only spoken the truth. Rayareddy’s statement itself is evidence of how sincerely Karnataka Congress leaders follow Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan, Satyameva Jayate.”

There is no need for the Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor, Shri Basavaraj Rayareddy, to take a U-turn. He has only spoken the truth.

Rayareddy’s statement itself is evidence of how sincerely @INCKarnataka leaders follow Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan, Satyameva Jayate.

The tradition…

— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) April 10, 2025

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The union minister further asked the Congress leader whether he is unaware of the “series of scams” that have taken place under the CM Siddaramaiah’s leadership.

Kumaraswamy stated that it was not the JD(S) government but other party governments that initiated the culture of percentages and commission rackets in contracts. “When I was Chief Minister, contractors were paid regularly and promptly. There was no question of delays. In my administration, commission rackets never reached the steps of Vidhana Soudha. Congress leaders, who call themselves so-called ‘satyasandhas’ (men of truth), must understand this.”

“Is Rayareddy really so naive that he is unaware of the series of scams under the present CM’s regime? As a part of the Congress East India Company government that is looting Karnataka, where does he have the moral authority to criticise JD(S)?” Kumaraswamy questioned.

Earlier, while speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, the CM’s economic advisor clarified his remarks, saying that he only pointed out corruption in a particular region.

“It’s half true. Yesterday, I was in the Koppal DC office, and there was a meeting on regional imbalance. In that meeting, they had invited MLAs and some organisation leaders. It was an official meeting. I said everything is okay, I know that the Siddaramaiah government is doing everything. But unfortunately, there are no works happening, and some corruption is happening in the Kalyana Karnataka region,” the Congress leader said.

Rayareddy added that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has done a lot of work to eradicate corruption, adding further, “It’s not a new thing to me. I have also mentioned it on the floor of the House. I have also mentioned it to the Chief Minister. He is also very much at work to eradicate corruption. Don’t twist my statement. Whichever are the important tax collection sectors, we have to stop the transfers. Already, my CM has started a big step to stop corruption.” (ANI)