R Ashoka Accuses Karnataka CM of ‘Political Hypocrisy’ Over Paper Leaks

The BJP has criticised Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over his decision to hold Deputy Commissioners (DCs) accountable for question paper leaks in recruitment examinations, accusing the Congress government of “political hypocrisy”.

Karnataka Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader R Ashoka questioned the Congress leadership over what he described as a double standard on accountability. Reacting to Shivakumar’s warning to district Deputy Commissioners, Ashoka alleged that the government was attempting to shift responsibility from the political leadership to bureaucrats.

“Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi. D K Shivakumar. Three faces. One hypocrisy,” Ashoka said in a post on X, claiming that the Congress leadership demands accountability and resignations when the BJP is in power but adopts a different approach in Karnataka.

Ashoka argued that the state government should instead focus on preventing future question paper leaks, making recruitment examinations tamper-proof and safeguarding the interests of students and job aspirants.

“This is the Congress model: Protect the political class. Pass the blame down the chain,” he alleged.

Shivakumar had on Saturday warned Deputy Commissioners that they would be held responsible for any question paper leak in recruitment examinations conducted in their respective districts. The directive came amid renewed concerns over examination integrity and the wider debate surrounding paper leaks. Drawing a comparison with the national political discourse, Ashoka questioned why, according to him, accountability “travels upward” when the BJP is in power but “downward” when the Congress governs.

“One country. Two standards. Moral lectures for Delhi. Bureaucratic scapegoats for Karnataka. That is not accountability. That is political hypocrisy at its worst,” Ashoka said.

The BJP's criticism adds to the political debate in Karnataka over measures to prevent examination malpractice and ensure transparency in government recruitment processes.