Picked by BJP, protected by Congress: Face of Karnataka job scams stayed on despite red flags

In Karnataka’s political sphere, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) often find themselves aligned on matters of significant importance. This unique case of alleged corruption, involving the Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), exemplifies the intersection of political patronage and alleged wrongdoing.

On August 25, KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar was suspended following the revelation of two significant issues: his daughter's employment in the state industries and commerce department, and a leaked exam paper favoring some candidates for 400 veterinarian positions. These revelations came amidst widespread public outrage, reminiscent of the Jantar Mantar protests.

Sahukar, who enjoyed a protected status throughout his tenure since 2019, saw his appointment process fraught with irregularities, despite red flags raised by top KPSC officials on multiple occasions. His tenure was marred by a series of alleged irregularities, raising questions about the integrity of the KPSC under both BJP and Congress leadership.