JOIN USJD(S) supremo miffed at no escort in tow
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his entourage was busy campaigning at K R Nagar in the district on Monday, for the by-election to Lok Sabha from Mandya constituency, former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda had to face some embarrassing moments.
However, this time it was not due to the ire of political bete noires, but due to the alleged dereliction of duty by the district police by not providing escort police.
Gowda, who was scheduled to campaign on behalf of JD(S) nominee C S Puttaraju was bound for K R Nagar from Bangalore.
However, even after Gowda’s vehicle reached Yelwal, the border of Mysore taluk, where the escort police was supposed to accompany the former prime minister, allegedly didn’t turn up.
Gowda allegedly expressed his animosity with K R Nagar MLA Sa Ra Mahesh, who was travelling with him. Mahesh, who contacted SP Abhinav Khare over phone, also expressed his resentment. It was only after Gowda finished his campaign, the escort party reached K R Nagar.
Clarifies
In a press release issued later, SP Abhinav Khare has clarified that there was no dereliction of duty on the part of district police.
The SP has clarified that reserve sub-inspector Raju was deployed on VIP duty (Deve Gowda). The said officer was waiting with the vehicle near Yelwal.
As the police vehicles too have been ordered to remove beacon light following the order of the Supreme Court, the said vehicle didn’t have the top light. So, Gowda’s vehicle failed to take notice of the escort vehicle, moving towards the designated place.
Though the escort police realised it later, they made best efforts to tail the VIP. However, in the absence of escort party, Sub-inspector of Hunsur town, Harshavardhan escorted Gowda’s vehicle in his jeep from Doddekoppal border of K R Nagar town.
The escort, led by SI Raju, later joined Gowda’s vehicle at K R Nagar traveller’s bungalow.