Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Kumaraswamy Questions Kharge Over AEE Recruitment Irregularities
A political leader named H. D. Kumaraswamy says there may have been problems in the hiring of 24 government engineers.
He questioned Priyank Kharge, who was responsible for the department when the hiring happened.
Kumaraswamy said some exam records may have been changed and that security video was missing.
He also questioned why some candidates received conditional appointment orders.
Kumaraswamy believes Kharge should have known about the concerns or ordered an investigation.
Kharge says Kumaraswamy has not shown documents proving his accusations.
Kharge said he would leave politics if his involvement is proven.
The disagreement is now a political dispute connected to a recruitment case pending before the Karnataka High Court.
H. D. Kumaraswamy questioned Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge over alleged irregularities in recruiting 24 Assistant Executive Engineers.
Kumaraswamy cited alleged OMR-sheet manipulation, missing CCTV footage and procedural violations in the recruitment process.
He asked why conditional appointment orders were issued despite concerns and why the matter had continued for nearly one-and-a-half years.
Kharge, who previously held the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj portfolio, denied any direct or indirect role in the alleged irregularities.
Kharge said he was ready to retire from politics if his involvement was proved and challenged Kumaraswamy to provide evidence.
- Who
- Union Minister and JD(S) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy questioned Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge.
- What
- The dispute concerns alleged irregularities in the recruitment and appointment of 24 Assistant Executive Engineers, or AEE Grade-1 officials.
- When
- Kumaraswamy raised the questions on Wednesday, September 2; the dispute had also been active for nearly one-and-a-half years.
- Where
- The recruitment was conducted through the Karnataka Public Service Commission for the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
- Why
- Kumaraswamy cited alleged OMR-sheet manipulation, missing CCTV footage, procedural violations and conditional appointment orders.
Kumaraswamy's allegations
Kharge's defense
Responsibility for appointments
Kumaraswamy's allegations
Kumaraswamy argued that the department, rather than only the Karnataka Public Service Commission, issued appointment orders and that Kharge should explain them.
Kharge's defense
Kharge rejected allegations of involvement and said Kumaraswamy had not provided documents or evidence linking him to the recruitment irregularities.
Handling of irregularity concerns
Kumaraswamy's allegations
Kumaraswamy said concerns about OMR sheets, missing CCTV footage and procedural violations existed before final selection, so an investigation or resignation was warranted.
Kharge's defense
Kharge said his direct or indirect role had not been established and objected to what he called unsupported allegations against him and the state government.
Conditional appointment orders
Kumaraswamy's allegations
Kumaraswamy questioned why the orders were issued quickly when alleged irregularities had already been identified.
Kharge's defense
Kharge's reported response was that the allegations should be supported with evidence; the article does not provide a separate explanation from him about the orders.
- Posts involved
- 24 Assistant Executive Engineers, or AEE Grade-1 posts
- Recruiting body
- Karnataka Public Service Commission
- Department
- Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department
- Allegations
- OMR-sheet manipulation, missing CCTV footage and procedural violations
- Appointments
- Conditional appointment orders were issued to selected candidates despite concerns over the process
- Court status
- The matter was described as pending before the Karnataka High Court
- Kharge's response
- He said he would retire from politics if his direct or indirect role were proved