JOIN USTrouble erupted at the office of a private Kannada TV news channel here on Thursday night, as supporters of Housing Minister V Somanna gathered outside, shouting slogans against the channel for an alleged attack on one of their men.
Late Thursday evening, the channel had started telecasting that Excise Minister M P Renukacharya had attacked Housing Minister V Somanna, questioning his loyalty to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
The incident apparently occurred at Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani’s residence on Wednesday night, according to the news channel.
However, it did not show any visuals to support its story. When contacted, Somanna said, “Renukacharya and I are good friends. We have absolutely no differences. No such incident occurred.”
Renukacharya in Chitradurga also rubbished the story. He said Somanna and he were like “brothers”. Both ministers, who are Yeddyurappa loyalists, have not joined the KJP.
Later, Somanna is said to have gone to the channel’s office for an interview. He reportedly received a call from another channel seeking his version of the story.
He agreed, but chose not to respond to the cameramen waiting outside and drove away. At this juncture, one of the mediapersons waiting outside was allegedly attacked.
Moments later, another person, said to be a supporter of Somanna, emerged out of the channel’s office and claimed he too was attacked. This triggered an angry response from Somanna’s men.