"Act on Governor's recommendation": Rajeev Chandrasekhar urges President to seek SC reference on KPSC

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Chandrasekhar said the issue affects the future of several Malayali youth who have been protesting and on strike for the past several months over the KPSC's functioning.

"PT Usha ji, MP Sadanandan Master ji and myself met the President of India today and requested the President to act on the recommendation of the Governor of Keralam, where the Governor, under Article 317 of the Constitution, asked for a reference to be made to the Supreme Court of India on the ongoing corruption and the mal-governance in the Kerala Public Services Commission, the KPSC," he said.

"This impacts the fate of many Malayali youth who have been sitting in protest and striking for the last several months. Now, why this is an important issue for the nation and all Indians to know is because, at the same time, this struggle by the youth of Keralam," he added.

Chandrasekhar also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and the Congress party of double standards on issues concerning youth in Keralam.

"There is a political leader whom I have called a fraud already, who goes around talking about 'Chhatron Ke Goonj' and manufactured issues relating to the youth have become the politics of Rahul Gandhi. But Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party's conduct in Keralam towards the youth of Keralam is in sharp contrast and reflects a hypocrisy and double standard on the part of the Congress, very much like the SIR," he said.

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress government in Keralam had failed to investigate the KPSC despite being in power for six months.

"In Keralam, they do nothing to protect the rights of the youth. They do not investigate the KPSC despite being six months in government. But in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi will make flowery speeches about youth and lost opportunities," he said.

Chandrasekhar further said the BJP was hopeful that the President's action on the Governor's recommendation would help deliver justice to candidates who had been protesting over the issue.

"We are hopeful that the President, through the reference to the Supreme Court, will deliver justice to the long-striking rank holders of the KPSC," he said.

He also alleged that no investigation had been initiated by the Congress government until the BJP submitted a memorandum to the Governor and the latter forwarded the recommendation to the President.

"Not one investigation was initiated by the Congress government till the BJP submitted its memorandum to the Governor and till the Governor forwarded the recommendation to the President of India," he added.

Earlier on October 26, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) would be given a new form as part of efforts to prevent examination irregularities and ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Speaking to the media at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on Sunday, Shivakumar said permission had been granted to interrogate accused Jnanendra in connection with the KPSC irregularities case to bring out the truth.

Some matters have come to notice; the ED and our officials have investigated, and permission has been given immediately for interrogation to bring out the truth. Our children study with great difficulty. It is not right to allow money and recommendations, he said.

Pointing to previous irregularities in the commission, the Chief Minister said a committee had been formed to examine measures to prevent such incidents, and its recommendations would be considered. (ANI)