Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and former Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa on Wednesday dismissed a corruption complaint filed against him with the Karnataka Governor, calling the allegations a politically motivated attempt to stall his prospects during the current cabinet expansion.
Speaking on the allegations, Mahadevappa said, “In my 40 years of public life, having engaged in politics in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of Baba Saheb, I can’t help but laugh at the baseless accusations now being levelled against me.”
With the Chief Minister DK Shivakumar-led government currently in the midst of internal discussions regarding the expansion of its council of ministers, Mahadevappa argued that the move is a clear attempt to undermine his position, adding, “so obvious that even small children could understand it.”
Emphasising that public life is subject to scrutiny, the minister said there must be no space for “malicious propaganda, false allegations, intolerance, and conspiracies.”
“I, too, am aware that no one in public life is beyond scrutiny. However, there should be no room for malicious propaganda, false allegations, intolerance, and conspiracies,” he said.
Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar, Mahadevappa said he follows Baba Saheb’s principles and stressed that enduring criticism while working for public welfare is part of public service.
“Even though Baba Saheb Ambedkar faced so many insults in his life, he endured them and toiled for the welfare of the nation’s people. Therefore, for me, who follows Baba Saheb, his principles serve as my model, and it is impossible for me to harbour hatred toward anyone,” he added.
Highlighting his administrative record, he claimed that during his tenure as Public Works Minister, he facilitated the development of “30,000 kilometres of roads, bridges, large buildings, and infrastructure,” adding that his work was not driven by financial motives.
“Worked to bring credit to the party by facilitating opportunities for people during both his ministerial tenures. As Public Works Minister, he claimed to have developed 30,000 kilometres of roads, bridges, large buildings, and infrastructure… not chasing money, but doing the work,” Mahadevappa said
He also said he “sincerely toiled to formulate laws and acts that are favourable to the Scheduled Castes” and, as Social Welfare Minister, “worked for people’s development and implemented my commitment toward creating a constitutional atmosphere,” keeping the state’s economic situation in mind.
Mahadevappa asserted that he has always acted within legal limits and would continue to do so, adding that those who appointed him and community organisations are aware of his conduct.
“Importantly, I have never worked beyond the limits of the law, nor will I ever do so. This is well known to those who gave me the responsibility of the ministerial position, to all people in the community, and to the Dalit organisations that nurtured my awareness,” he stated.
He concluded that, “Criticisms die away, works endure. Therefore, in this context, this is all I wish to say.”
The details of the complaint submitted to the Governor remain undisclosed. The Governor’s office has not issued any statement so far regarding the matter, which comes at a time when the Congress government is reportedly considering a cabinet expansion in Karnataka. (ANI)
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