Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Kumaraswamy attacks Shivakumar over plans to shut KPSC
Karnataka’s Public Service Commission is facing criticism after alleged problems in recruitment.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government was examining whether the commission could be shut down legally.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy strongly disagreed with this idea.
He said the KPSC is protected by the Constitution and should not be blamed for the actions of a few people.
Kumaraswamy argued that the officials responsible for wrongdoing should be identified and removed.
He also questioned who appointed those officials.
The disagreement followed a court-ordered investigation into an alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam.
The Karnataka High Court ordered a Special Investigation Team, or SIT, to examine the allegations.
The two leaders therefore disagree over whether to close the institution or hold individual wrongdoers accountable.
H.D. Kumaraswamy criticised D.K. Shivakumar’s proposal to explore shutting down the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Kumaraswamy said alleged recruitment irregularities should be attributed to individuals, not the constitutionally protected institution.
He questioned who appointed the officials accused of wrongdoing and allowed the alleged irregularities to occur.
Shivakumar said the Karnataka government was consulting experts and examining legal options for closing the KPSC.
The dispute followed a Karnataka High Court order creating an SIT to investigate an alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam.
- Who
- Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- What
- Kumaraswamy criticised Shivakumar’s proposal to examine shutting down the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
- When
- Shivakumar made his statement on Tuesday, and Kumaraswamy responded on Wednesday.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- The dispute followed alleged recruitment irregularities and a Karnataka High Court-ordered investigation into an alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam.
Kumaraswamy’s position
Shivakumar government’s position
Whether to close the KPSC
Kumaraswamy’s position
Kumaraswamy says shutting down the constitutionally protected commission would be irresponsible and unjustified.
Shivakumar government’s position
Shivakumar says the government is consulting experts and examining whether the KPSC can be shut down within the legal framework.
Who should face accountability
Kumaraswamy’s position
Kumaraswamy says responsibility should be assigned to the individuals who allegedly committed wrongdoing, rather than to the institution as a whole.
Shivakumar government’s position
The government’s consideration of closure follows allegations of irregularities in recruitment conducted through the commission.
Response to the recruitment allegations
Kumaraswamy’s position
Kumaraswamy supports identifying and removing alleged wrongdoers while preserving the commission.
Shivakumar government’s position
The government is considering structural action after the Karnataka High Court ordered an SIT investigation into the alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam.
- Institution involved
- Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
- Kumaraswamy’s position
- The KPSC should not be dismantled because alleged wrongdoing involved individuals rather than the institution.
- Shivakumar’s position
- The government is consulting experts and examining legal options for shutting down the KPSC.
- Investigation
- The Karnataka High Court ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team.
- Allegation under investigation
- An alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam.
- Kumaraswamy’s proposed response
- Identify and remove officials responsible for alleged misconduct.
