A case has been filed against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy following serious allegations of extortion made by a fellow member of his party, the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD[S]), Vijaya Tata. This controversy erupted after Tata claimed that Kumaraswamy demanded a substantial sum of money under duress for an upcoming bypoll, shedding light on the political tensions in Karnataka.
According to the complaint lodged on October 1, Vijaya Tata stated that JD(S) leader Ramesh Gowda visited his residence on August 24. During this visit, Gowda allegedly contacted Kumaraswamy, allowing Tata to speak with the Union Minister directly. During their conversation, Kumaraswamy purportedly demanded ₹50 crore from Tata for the Channapatna bypoll. He is said to have threatened Tata that failure to arrange the funds would jeopardise not only his real estate business but his ability to survive in Bengaluru.
In his detailed complaint, Tata elaborated on his conversation with Gowda, who reportedly informed him that a ticket had been secured for Nikhil Kumaraswamy, HD Kumaraswamy’s son, to contest in the Channapatna bypolls. This ticket was contingent upon the arrangement of the ₹50 crore that Kumaraswamy demanded.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy was nominated by the JD(S) for the Channapatna Assembly constituency after his father vacated the seat to serve in the Lok Sabha, following his election on June 4.
During the alleged phone conversation, Kumaraswamy is said to have stressed the importance of the ₹50 crore, framing it as a matter of prestige. Tata recounted, “In previous elections, we had covered all the expenses for his campaign. This time, Kumaraswamy told us it was a matter of prestige and requested that we arrange ₹50 crore for him.”
Tata expressed his inability to meet the demand, citing that all their ongoing projects were pending. This response reportedly incensed Kumaraswamy, leading him to insist on the money “at any cost.” Tata alleged that Kumaraswamy warned him that he would face severe difficulties in completing his projects and that he would not allow him to survive in Bengaluru before abruptly ending the call.
Following Tata’s complaint, the Amruthahalli police initiated a case against Kumaraswamy and Ramesh Gowda. The charges were filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically sections 3(5), 308(2), and 351(2). These sections pertain to serious allegations that could lead to significant legal repercussions for the accused.
HD Kumaraswamy, who was elected as a Member of Parliament from Karnataka’s Mandya constituency, was appointed as the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel. His political career has been marked by various controversies, and these latest allegations add to the complexity of his public image.
In a related political context, an FIR was registered against Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. His statement, which hinted that a “great leader had set aside ₹1,000 crore” to ascend to the position of Chief Minister of Karnataka, has been interpreted as a veiled criticism aimed at Siddaramaiah, the current Chief Minister. The complaint, filed by the Congress party at the High Grounds police station, has further heightened the political tensions within Karnataka.
These recent developments underscore the increasingly charged political atmosphere in Karnataka, where allegations of corruption and extortion are becoming common points of contention among political leaders. The ramifications of these allegations could significantly impact the JD(S) and Kumaraswamy’s standing in the upcoming electoral battles.
The controversy surrounding HD Kumaraswamy highlights not only the internal dynamics within the JD(S) but also the broader implications for political ethics in Karnataka.