From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 2: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar has asked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to disclose the identity of a senior Cabinet minister, whose brother is allegedly involved in the police sub inspector’s examination scam, which has now been referred to the CID for a probe.

“According to my information, a minister’s relative or brother in involved in the PSI recruitment scam. It may be true or may not be true. It is known to everybody three persons from the same taluk have been selected and that they have sold their properties to make the payment. Entire village knows this. There is no need (for CID) to send me a notice,’’ Shivakumar said speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Monday, May 2.

The KPCC Chief said that he has been receiving several telephone calls and one of the selected candidate’s father has fallen ill as the entire process has now been cancelled. Another person, who was arrested, has been released allegedly with the pressure exerted by influential persons to escape the police investigation.

“It remains to be seen how seriously and honestly the CID officials conduct the probe,” he said.

Shivakumar ridiculed the Chief Minister’s statement that Shivakumar will be suffocated if his government functions seriously for raising questions on the government’s failures. “At the same time, the minister in charge of Ramanagara district claims that there are no one with manhood in the district and that he alone is endowed with it and, therefore, we are scared,’’ he said without directly naming Higher Educaton Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, who happens to be the Ramanagara in-charge minister.

The KPCC Chief questioned the government’s action of cancelling the entire examination process even before completion of the investigation to find out the persons involved in the scam and ordering a re-examination. “This is bound to create legal hurdles and indefinite delay in the recruitment,’’ he said charging that the cancellation of examinations and ordering re-examinations was a “conspiracy to protect the influential people involved.”

The DGP, who heads the entire police force in the State, has assured that honest candidates will not be allowed to suffer, Shivakumar said and pointed out that the statement of the DGP and Home Minister Araga Janendra were “clearly contradictory.’’

“Is this the style of honest, transparent and brisk governance of Bommai regime,’’ he asked.

Shivakumar said the media has already reported that the police have allowed the accused to go scot-free merely because of the phone calls from “some influential people” and challenged the government to issue notices to the newspapers and conduct investigation.

“The name of the accused is mentioned in the complaint by a candidate. The CID officials did not bother to visit the native place of the accused or investigated. There is also no investigation as to how the candidate paid so much money,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said: “If the Chief Minister is really committed and means what he says, let action be taken against the persons involved in the scam however influential. The government should take action against BJP MLAs, leaders, ministers or anybody belonging to Congress or JD(S), if they are involved. Let the Chief Minister find out as who pressurized the candidate not to disclose the name of the person who collected the money.’’

The KPCC Chief said the party will watch all developments and wait for the Chief Minister to take action.

Answering questions, Shivakumar disclosed that he has been receiving calls from several persons not to drag the name of the minister as he is likely to be made the next Chief Minister and keep quiet. “Let them get details of the phone calls that I received,’’ he said revealing that a leader from Mandya also called him not to rake up the issue.

Asked why he is not disclosing the name of the minister, Shivakumar punned: “I am scared of this minister. I don’t want to name the minister because I am afraid of him.’’

Meanwhile, another Congress leader B R Naidu has in a message, wondered at the identity of the minister and alleged that a candidate, Darshan, from Moorur village of Kudur hobli in Magadi taluk, was called by the CID on Sunday and when he disclosed that the minister’s brother was paid the money, the candidate was allowed to go without being arrested.

“The minister hails from the border of Magadi and is in charge of Ramanagara district. Let the minister deny under oath that his brother is not involved in the scam,’’ Naidu challenged.