In a significant political development in Karnataka, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa has leveled serious allegations against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, alleging improper involvement in departmental matters to benefit his relatives.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has been accused by one of his own ministers, KS Eshwarappa, of “interference,” “serious lapses,” and “authoritarian ways.” Eshwarappa has reported his boss to the Governor and the BJP leadership.
Karnataka’s Rural Development Minister, Mr. Eshwarappa, has written to Governor Vajubhai Vala, accusing the Chief Minister of interfering directly in his ministry, in breach of the “Karnataka (transaction of business) rules 1977” on cabinet power division.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP leader JP Nadda have all received copies of the letter.
Mr. Yediyurappa is accused by the minister of bypassing him in order to make 774 crores in allocations from his department.
He cites an example in which the Chief Minister ordered 65 crores from his ministry’s budget for one district in Bengaluru while ignoring 29 others.
“I am at pains, to bring to your kind notice, some of the recent actions of our Respected Chief Minister relating to my Department, which amounts to direct interference in the affairs of Ministers in-charge of Departments, in clear violation of Karnataka (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1977 and also against the established practices and procedures relating to the affairs of the State Administration,” Eshwarappa said.
The minister claims he raised serious concerns with the Chief Minister with a letter highlighting the indiscriminate sanction of funds to various MLAs/persons in violation of laws,” but it was in vain.
The allegation resurfaces the mistrust of Mr. Yediyurappa within his cabinet and party members.
Both Mr. Eshwarappa and the Chief Minister are Shivamogga natives. That changed when Mr. Yediyurappa extended his cabinet to include new ministers who assisted him in assuming power in 2019 by defecting from the Congress-Janata Dal-Secular government, which led to its downfall.
