Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao slams BJP over ‘fake’ transfer order row

Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has issued a strong clarification regarding the alleged transfer of Mandya District Health Officer (DHO), accusing BJP leaders of spreading misinformation using a “fake” government order.

A purported order bearing the name of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that Mandya DHO Dr Mohan had been transferred to the Excise Department, had gone viral on social media. The letter was shared by BJP leaders, including MLA Sunil Kumar and MLC C. T. Ravi, who targeted the government over the alleged decision.

Responding sharply on social media, Dinesh Gundu Rao termed the document fake and accused the BJP of attempting to mislead the public. “This is yet another failed attempt by the BJP’s lie factory, which believes that repeating a lie a hundred times will make it the truth.

Do you not have the basic knowledge to realise that a health department officer cannot be transferred to the Excise Department under existing rules?” he questioned.

The minister pointed out that the viral letter did not carry a date or reference number, calling it fabricated. He added that a complaint has already been lodged by the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the fake document.

Escalating his attack, Rao also referred to the Parashurama theme park project in Karkala, alleging irregularities. He said BJP leaders should instead answer questions about the alleged kickbacks in the construction of the Parashurama statue and the theme park project near Karkala in Dakshina Kannada district.

“Those who grandly inaugurated the ‘axe-wielding Parashurama’ and left the statue neglected have no moral authority to lecture us on transparency and governance,” he said.

The minister further accused the opposition of spreading a “series of lies” despite court observations that misappropriation of public funds amounts to a criminal offence. “Before spreading falsehoods about our department, be prepared to answer allegations in court,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s record, Rao stated that for the first time in Karnataka’s history, over 5,600 staff members, including doctors and nurses, were transferred through a transparent counselling process.

He also posed a series of questions to Sunil Kumar, asking how much power generation was achieved during his tenure as Energy Minister, how many staff transfers were done through counselling, and how many jobs were created in the department and in Udupi district.

The controversy has triggered a fresh political slugfest between the ruling Congress government and the BJP, with the health minister asserting that the administration will take legal action against those circulating fabricated documents.

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