The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka has landed itself in a fresh controversy as reportedly the State Assembly Speaker has written a letter to the Assembly’s finance department asking the creation of a new post, dubbed, “Secretary-2”. Notably, the assembly already has a post named Secretary. As a result, the development has triggered strong opposition from the Vidhana Soudha (state Legislative Assembly) employees and the Bharatiya Janata Party. They have accused the Congress government of violating the established laws and creating a new post just to accommodate the son-in-law of Minister KH Muniyappa.
According to reports, the controversy erupted after the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly UT Khader Fareed sent a letter to the Assembly’s Finance Department. In the letter, he sought the creation of a new post, ‘Secretary-2’, and also sought financial approval for the same.
#Karnataka VS Employee association claims a new "Secretary 2" post is being created to accommodate Minister KH Muniyappa's son-in-law, Sashidhar, who currently works in the computer wing
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) July 22, 2024
Association claims there is already a Vidhan Sabha assembly secretary, yet a new secretary's… pic.twitter.com/LSZ2sBXYFG
According to reports, it is alleged that the new post has been created to accommodate Shashidhar JE who is the son-in-law of Food Minister KH Muniyappa. Shashidhar is currently working in the Assembly’s computer wing. The employees stated that he is ineligible for the existing post of Secretary as it is typically reserved for promoted employees.
According to reports, Shashidhar is currently the Director of the Computer Department in the Legislative Assembly Ministry. He has requested to be transferred from the post of Director to the post of Secretary-2. Additionally, his father-in-law Muniyappa also recommended Shashidhar’s request.
His wife MLA Roopakala, has also been accused of profiteering. It is alleged that on his behalf, she prepared a file for promotion from the post of director to the post of Secretary-2.
Subsequently, the Karnataka Vidhan Sabha Assembly Employee Association wrote a letter to the Vidhan Sabha Assembly secretary to register their protest against this move. According to them, this is a blatant attempt to place Shashidhar in a high-ranking position despite his lack of qualifications.
The letter read, “A new post called ‘Secretary 2’ is being created to accommodate minister KH Muniyappa’s son-in-law, Sashidhar.”
It added, “Sashidhar is the husband of MLA M Roopakala and is presently in the computer wing. He can’t take the post of secretary, as the secretary post is for employees who get promoted generally and become secretaries. Never have computer wing employees become secretaries.”
It accused the Congress government of creating the new post just to accommodate Sashidhar, the Minister’s son-in-law.
It is pertinent to note that as per the assembly’s rule book, the Secretary’s post enjoys the powers, privileges, and status equivalent to that of a Secretary to the Government in the Government Secretariat.
The principal opposition party, BJP also came down heavily on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government charging them of creating the new post for accommodating the Minister’s son-in-law.
BJP leader R Ashoka who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly launched a scathing attack against the Karnataka government.
He wrote in Kannada, “90 cabinet grade status was created in violation of the Constitution to quell the rebellion of MLAs. Now this brazen Karnataka government has created a new post for the minister’s son-in-law.”
ಶಾಸಕರ ಬಂಡಾಯ ಶಮನ ಮಾಡಲು ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ನಿಯಮ ಉಲ್ಲಂಘಿಸಿ 90 ಕ್ಯಾಬಿನೆಟ್ ದರ್ಜೆ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾಯ್ತು. ಈಗ ಸಚಿವರ ಅಳಿಯನಿಗಾಗಿ ಹೊಸ ಹುದ್ದೆಯನ್ನೇ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿ ನೇಮಕಾತಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆ ಈ ಲಜ್ಜೆಗೆಟ್ಟ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ.
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) July 22, 2024
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ, ಶಾಸಕರನ್ನ, ಸಚಿವರನ್ನ ಹಿಡಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗದೆ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರ ಹಣ ಪೋಲು… pic.twitter.com/aObywUthg5
The translated version of the post further read, “CM Siddaramaiah Navare, you are the weakest Chief Minister Karnataka has ever seen, wasting public money and giving attic status to MLAs and Ministers’ relatives without being able to keep the MLAs and Ministers under control.”
He also demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation. The BJP leader added, “How long will this pot last? Resign and maintain dignity before people revolt against you. Also, save the honour of the state.”
BJP leader and MLA CN Ashwath Narayan said, “The government is abusing their powers. Creating a Secretary 2 post, accommodating a minister’s son-in-law… they don’t respect the law of the land. We’ll oppose tooth and nail. We’ll take this up even in the judiciary.”
Meanwhile, when the media asked Minister KH Muniyappa’s response to these developments, he refrained from commenting on the matter.
