Bengaluru: Even as Karnataka reels under pressing administrative and developmental issues, the Congress government appears mired in internal chaos, personal rivalries, and complete collapse of institutional discipline now playing out in full public view at Karnataka Bhavan in the national capital.
A disturbing and embarrassing row between two senior officers one aligned with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the other with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has erupted into an open mudslinging match, filled with allegations of violent threats, verbal abuse, and even sexual harassment, putting the Congress administration under serious scrutiny.
The clash involves Mohan Kumar C Assistant Resident Commissioner and special duty officer to CM Siddaramaiah, and H. Anjaneya, special officer to DCM Shivakumar. Both officials are long-time loyalists of their respective political masters and have now brought their factional rivalry into the functioning of a government institution meant to serve citizens and public officials in Delhi.
Serious accusations flying both ways
Anjaneya has submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Karnataka, and Resident Commissioner, alleging that Mohan Kumar has been deliberately obstructing his work and even attempted physical violence. “He threatened to take off his shoes and beat me in his office. Later, he came to beat me outside in front of everyone. If anything happens to me, he should be held responsible,” Anjaneya has alleged.
He further claims that Mohan’s ego, inflated by his proximity to the CM, has led him to illegally transfer Anjaneya from his administrative duties and deny him his rightful post despite seniority. He has demanded a full departmental probe into Mohan’s conduct, past disciplinary history, and even the legality of his promotions.
In response, Mohan Kumar denied the allegations but added a counterattack, accusing Anjaneya of indecent conduct. “He behaved inappropriately with women employees. The Women’s Commission has received complaints against him,” Mohan said.
Sexual harassment allegations deepen crisis
Adding to the fire, Kusuma P. Nandaragi, deputy coordinator and accounts officer at Karnataka Bhavan, has lodged a formal complaint with the State Women’s Commission against Anjaneya. In her letter, she accuses Anjaneya of consistently using vulgar, abusive, and obscene language towards staff, particularly women.
“He behaves arrogantly, insults staff openly, and uses foul language like ‘What the hell is the accountant waiting for?’ His threats include ‘I will make you DG, suspend you, dismiss you,’ and he makes female employees feel unsafe,” Kusuma alleged.
The fact that these events are unfolding within a critical state-run facility in the national capital raises questions about the Congress leadership’s seriousness in ensuring workplace discipline, safety of women staffers, and basic bureaucratic decorum.
Siddaramaiah’s tepid response
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has admitted that he is aware of the ongoing fracas. “It seems something happened between the two. I have received complaints. We will investigate,” he said. However, critics argue that this is yet another example of the Congress leadership turning a blind eye to administrative collapse and internal factionalism.
The bitter rivalry between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s chair has already polarized the bureaucracy in Karnataka. Now, that rivalry seems to have metastasized beyond the Vidhana Soudha — turning government premises into political battlegrounds.
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