Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah

When a candidate is in the running to become Karnataka’s CM one would think he’d have a clean run. But Siddaramaiah has hit upon multiple bumps along the way. The newest bump on the road is the ex-DGP’s charges against him in the matter regarding Sasikala and her jail term.

Corruption charges are the last thing Siddaramaiah needs on his plate at the moment. Former DGP HN Satyanarayana Rao said that Siddaramaiah had told the Prisons Department officials to give Sasikala special amenities. The CM said in response to the charge, “A delegation from Tamil Nadu had complained to my office that basic facilities were not provided to Sasikala in the prison. After that, I had directed the DGP to provide only those facilities that can be provided as per rules and the Prisons manual. I have never directed the officials to provide VVIP treatment.”

The CM claims that the officer was making allegations because of the state government ordering the Anti-Corruption Bureau to probe into the matter. The ex-DGP recorded his statement with an inquiry committee that it was the CM who ordered that a cot, bed, and pillow to Sasikala. Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the state government saying that the instructions were given as per a doctor’s advice. Although But it is not certain that whether the CM is allowed to issue such instructions. It is certain that there is more to the matter, but that is yet to be deduced. If Siddaramaiah’s defense rings true it will save him a lot of tension. But if the tally of corruption charges shoot up he will be no better an option as compared to Yeddyurappa. Will it be a choice between the corrupt and the corrupt for Karnataka then? That will be a very interesting choice to make.

By Sahitya