Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The BJP continued its attack on the Congress over the suicide of Sachin, a contractor in Bidar, who blamed associates of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge for taking the extreme step. Demanding Priyank’s resignation, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to entrust the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure a fair and free probe.
Citing the contractor’s suicide note, Vijayendra said that the contractor had brought to light chilling details of Priyank allegedly offering ‘supari’ to his close aide Raju Kapnur to finish BJP MLA Basavaraj Mattimadu, and other saffron party leaders such as Manikanth Rathod and Chandu Patil, in addition to firebrand Hindu seer Sri Sri Andola Swamiji.
“This is a dangerous trend set by the Congress. I therefore demand that CM Siddaramaiah hand over this case to the CBI,” wrote Vijayendra on ‘X’.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly R Ashoka wondered if the Constitution drafted by Ambedkar did not apply to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. “Priyank, who preaches to everyone, should resign, and show morality. How come the Constitution doesn’t apply to the Kharge family,” asked Ashoka.
The LoP sought to underscore the untenable position of the RDPR Minister given that the late contractor’s suicide note laid bare the direct involvement of Priyank’s supporters. Bidar police were allegedly unresponsive when Sachin’s family, understandably worried after seeing his distress message on social media, reached out to them. “Priyank is neither the Nizam of Kalaburagi, nor are his supporters Razakkars,” said Ashoka.
Former Deputy CM and Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol called on Priyank to set an example by resigning of his own accord. Reminding the Congress of its demand for the resignation of then RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa, Karjol said, “The BJP took a moral stand, and forced him to resign, and Eshwarappa complied with the same. Similarly, Priyank must resign.”