The BJP in poll-bound Karnataka on Monday launched a statewide protest demanding the resignation of Bengaluru City Development Minister K.J. George and Mines and Geology minister Vinay Kulkarni over their alleged involvement in two separate criminal incidents.
If George has been named as one of the main accused in the DySP M.K. Ganapathy death case, now being probed by the CBI, Kulkarni is being accused of pressuring the family members of Yogish Gowda, a Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member, who was hacked to death in June 15, 2016, to withdraw the case.
The BJP is demanding that the two "tainted" ministers be dropped from the Siddaramaiah government to pave way for a free and fair probe.
The constant barbs by the BJP leaders had lead to George moving a motion on breach of privilege against Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar and a private Kannada television news channel, in the Legislative Assembly recently. George, who had earlier quit the cabinet after the CID had taken up the DySP MK Ganapathy's case, was reinstated after the CID filed a closure report. However, the case was handed over to the CBI after the family members of late Ganapathy finally approached the Supreme Court.
George contended that Shettar had levelled baseless allegations against him, claiming that Dr Shailaja, who conducted the autopsy of Ganapathy’s body, had admitted before the CBI that she was under pressure from the government to file a suicide report. "Shettar has made false claims. I am affected by all these allegations," said George.
Meanwhile, the family members of late Yogish Gowda, who was hacked to death by unknown assailants in Dharwad last year, had told a private channel that a police officer allegedly met them and pressured them to withdraw the case. They suspected it was being done at the behest of Kulkarni.
The police officer's alleged threats have been recorded, and the audio clips of the conversation have the officer warning the family against "taking on the minister" and to "come to a compromise".
The accused in the Yogish murder case are in the jail, and the matter is in the court. However, the BJP has alleged that the Congress government and the chief minister are shielding the 'tainted' ministers.
Incidentally, Kulkarni is one of the two Congress ministers spearheading the Lingayat movement seeking a separate religion status and minority tag. The Congress now suspects Kulkarni is being targeted by the BJP as the Lingayat movement has polarised the community, which has traditionally been a staunch supporter of the BJP.
Said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,"The BJP has developed a habit of making false accusations. They are upset with Kulkarni foe leading Lingayat movement. This attack on Kulkarni is politically motivated."
Siddaramaiah had been vocal in his support for George too, as he dares the BJP to drop the union ministers facing criminal charges. "The BJP is being lead by Amit Shah at the Centre and Yeddyurappa in the State and both have been to jail," mocks Siddaramaiah.
