Viral video lands Karnataka CM's son in a soup: JD(S), BJP target Siddaramaiah

A political slugfest erupted on Thursday over a video of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra giving instructions on the phone, with the Opposition accusing the Congress of corruption in government transfers.

Siddaramaiah offered to resign from politics if any allegations of him taking money for transfers were proven.

The row erupted after JD(S) legislature party leader HD Kumaraswamy shared a video clip of Yathindra at a recent event, where he is overheard talking on the phone purportedly with his father about a “list”. Yathindra is heard addressing his father and referring to a name, “Vivekananda”.

“I have given only five names in the list,” he is heard saying. He also asks his father to pass the phone to “Mahadev”. Later, Yathindra pulls up Mahadev for mixing up names and asks him to stick to the list given to him.

“Does one need any more proof for corruption in this government,” Kumaraswamy asked.

“Who is Vivekananda? There must be an inquiry into this. Mahadev is CM’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Why is he involved in this? Why was the CM taking advice from his son on government matters,” Kumaraswamy sought to know.

Rubbishing the allegations, Siddaramaiah said there was no mention of cash in the video. “Kumaraswamy has linked it to transfers. If it is proven that I have taken money for transfers at any point in my career, I am willing to resign,” he said.

Later in the day, Siddaramaiah released a list of five government schools in Varuna constituency, claiming that Yathindra was referring to Vivekananda, a BEO (Block Education Officer). “He had sent to my office a list of government schools that needed repair,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, too, defended Yathindra. “The JD(S) and the BJP are targeting Yathindra with frivolous allegations as they are devoid of any real issues,” he charged. Yathindra, who is also the chairman of Ashraya Committee, was trying to address the issues of the constituency at a Jana Samparka meet, Shivakumar said.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Ashwath Narayan alleged that the government has flouted norms pertaining to transfers. “Even though there is a cap on the number, there are departments where more than 50% of officials are being transferred,” he claimed.