Karnataka politics: Sulks, letters, hunger strikes and more

Mangalore Today / PTI

Bangalore, July 11:  Politicians in Karnataka have rarely flirted so openly with burlesque. Hunger strikes, invitations to take truth tests in temples, and more are part of the carnival being staged by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Opposition leader HD Kumaraswamy, who have both accused each other, publicly and in great detail, of chronic corruption.

 

Mr Kumaraswamy has now written to the Chief Minister, criticising him for attempts to distance himself from a recent BJP missive that accused Mr Kumaraswamy of corruption worth 1500 crores. The BJP’s accusations were listed in a booklet and they provoked Mr Kumaraswamy to begin a fast-unto-death.   Thankfully, the fast ended within 28 hours, largely, Mr Kumaraswamy says, because of the Chief Minister’s message sent via three emissaries.

"Thanks much for expressing concern over my health," the Opposition leader writes to the Chief Minister, "I broke the fast to honour the advice by several thinkers, litterateurs, artistes, social workers and people of the state who had expressed similar concern like you towards my health." (Read: Official letter sent by Kumaraswamy to Yeddyurappa)

For his part, the Chief Minister told Mr Kumaraswamy, "I will take appropriate decisions for your demand into an inquiry into BJP allegations against you."

But Mr Kumaraswamy is not about to let the Chief Minister off the hook.  "The sum and substance of your letter is very alarming. In democracy and parliamentary administration, politicians should ultimately remain committed to their statements and the advertisements they publish. Making unnecessary allegations for the sake of politics and later escaping from them does not bring any grace to any political party." Mr Kumaraswamy helpfully points out, "All my charges, I made against you, are supplemented with documentary evidence. I am not an escapist. I expect a similar commitment from your side."

He is not exaggerating. Since last year, Mr Kumaraswamy has flooded the media with hundreds of documents at multiple press conferences that suggest the Chief Minister misused his office to benefit companies owned by or associated with his children and their spouses.  Mr Yeddyurappa reversed some of those decisions, cancelling for example deals that transferred land in prime location to his children’s firms at throwaway prices.

Last month, Mr Yeddyurappa, in an open letter, challenged Mr Kumaraswamy to meet him at a temple in Dharamsthala and swear before God that the accusations of corruption against the Chief Minister were based in fact. The Opposition leader accepted. Priests and the BJP President warned against the bizarre trust motion, and both men eventually did visit the temple on the same day but without their scheduled face-off.