Substantiate allegations with evidence: Priyank Kharge challenges Kumaraswamy

Home Minister Priyank Kharge challenged Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to substantiate his allegations in the ongoing "sting operation" controversy, urging him to submit evidence to the investigating agencies rather than making unverified claims in public.

Speaking to presspersons in Kalaburagi city on Saturday, Mr. Kharge said the investigation should be allowed to proceed without prejudging its outcome. If Mr. Kumaraswamy had specific evidence, he should submit it to the Director-General of Police or approach the court, he said.

Responding to allegations of Congress Ministers' involvement in the operation, Mr. Kharge said the investigation would establish the facts. Alluding to their political rivalry, he questioned whether Mr. Kumaraswamy himself could have been behind the operation. BJP leader C.T. Ravi, who had accused Congress leaders of involvement, should provide his voice sample, he said.

Replying to a question, Mr. Kharge said that the investigation should establish who commissioned the alleged operation and who carried out the recording. He cautioned against imposing a deadline, stressing that all aspects of the case needed to be examined.

Mr. Kharge said people would decide who was responsible for the declining standards of political discourse. Referring to remarks made by Mr. Kumaraswamy mocking the Dalit community, the Minister said that it only reflected the mindset of those making such statements, rather than affecting him personally.

Taking a dig at Mr. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Kharge said, "We do not indulge in political compromises as you do," and urged his critics to back their allegations with evidence. He also accused political opponents who had previously criticised the RSS but now appeared to embrace it of hypocrisy.

On the proposed RSS route march for Vijayadashami, Mr. Kharge said the organisers must submit an application specifying the route and other details. Permission would be considered in accordance with the law. Pointing out that permission had been granted for Ganesh idol immersions at around 82,000 locations across Karnataka, he said the RSS event too would be assessed under the applicable rules.

FRP for sugarcane

Accusing the Union government of failing to fix a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) that adequately addressed farmers' concerns, Mr. Kharge said that fixing the FRP was the Centre's responsibility, and the State government could not be expected to resolve every issue faced by sugarcane growers.

Mr. Kharge said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was visiting Hubballi to hear farmers' grievances and questioned the absence of local MP and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from efforts to address their concerns.

Allamprabhu Patil, MLA; MLCs Jagdev Guttedar and Thippannappa Kamaknoor; and Congress district president Kiran Deshmukh were present.