KSE slams dropping of cases against PFI members

Leader of Opposition in Council K S Eshwarappa has condemned State government’s decision to withdraw cases against the members of Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD).

He said that the BJP and the like-minded organisations will hold a Statewide protest condemning the decision of Siddaramaiah-led government.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, BJP leader Eshwarappa said, “Home Minister George was well aware that Karnataka Forum for Dignity  and  Popular Front of India members had attacked and killed people in Shivamogga, and had raised ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogans.”

“His own officials had advised the government not to withdraw cases against those arrested.

However, the government had overlooked this, only to appease the Muslim community,” he added.

KSE vs Khader

Eshwarappa attacked Health Minister U T Khader for his statements that BJP was funding such organisations.

“He is not qualified to even be a minister. He has made a meaningless statement. If he thinks that BJP is funding these outfits, and that the CBI should look into it, then I welcome his suggestion,” he added.

Countering his statements, Health Minister U T Khader said, “BJP was funding the Social Democratic Party of India and by doing so, it ruined the prospects of many Congress candidates.” 

He said, “BJP had colluded with SDPI and had ensured that SDPI candidates contested against Congress Muslim candidates during zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat, Assembly and Parliamentary elections, only to split votes. This had happened even during the recently concluded gram panchayat elections,” Khader added.

Session in Belagavi

Criticising the government for its decision to conduct 10 days of the budget session in Belagavi, and 14 days in Bengaluru, Eshwarappa said that never in the history of Karnataka, such a thing had happened.

He demanded that the government conduct the session either in Belagavi, or in Bengaluru, instead of splitting it in this fashion.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier in the day said that 10 days of the legislature session would be held in Belagavi.