Like George and Meti, Vinay may also get clean chit: Shettar

Calling the State Government headed by Siddaramaiah as 'clean chit government', Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar predicted that the additional superintendent of police who is inquiring into the alleged involvement of District In-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni in ZP member Yogishgouda Goudar murder case would soon give a clean chit to Mr Vinay, on the lines of clean chit given by the CID to minister K J George and former minister H Y Meti after conducting a namesake inquiry.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Mr Shettar stated that Mr Siddaramaiah refused to hand over the case to the CBI or to drop Mr Vinay Kulkarni from the Cabinet, though audio-video evidence of DySP Tulajappa Sulfi holding talks with Mr Goudar family members, repeatedly mentioning the minister's name, are available.

"In the session of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker did not allow us to move an adjournment motion on this issue," he said.

'Vinay giving caste colour'

If he is innocent, Mr Shettar said, Mr Vinay should face an impartial inquiry and take up the legal battle.

But, he tried to protect himself through a show of strength by arranging a protest against MP Pralhad Joshi in front of Mr Joshi's house here, by giving caste colour to the issue. Yogishgouda Goudar was also a Lingayat, and why no protest was staged when he was murdered, Mr Shetar asked.

The FIR has not yet been filed based on the complaint lodged by Yogishgouda's borther Gurunathgouda, and it shows how much pressure is on the police. Neither Mr Sulfi nor Mr Vinay are being interrogated, he said.

IGP (north rage) K Ramchandra Rao is also trying to protect Mr Sulfi though he tried to pressurise Yogishgouda family members. There is every possibility of tampering with evidences, as Mr Vinay has not stepped down from the post of district in-charge minister. "Therefore, we are demanding a CBI probe or at least a probe by a young IPS officer," he said.

It is being said one 'Mama' from Vijayapur area is involved in the murder case, and truth could come out if he is arrested, he said.

On Simha's statement

When asked about Mysuru MP Prathap Simha's statement about 'ferocious' protests by BJP Yuva Morcha, Mr Shettar said, "Mr Simha might have misunderstood the message of BJP national President Amith Shah. Mr Shah had suggested to hold protests on streets, instead of mere Twitter statements".

This government is curtailing the rights of Hindus in celebrating their festivals. Because of the vote bank politics of the Congress government, clashes are taking place in the State, he claimed, adding that the government money is being spent for Congress conventions.

Mr Shettar also expressed confidence that efforts being made under the leadership of State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa to convince Goa to allow diversion of water from Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river would be successful at the earliest.

MLC Pradeep Shettar, Mayor D K Chavan, BJP leaders Nagesh Kalburgi, Veeranna Savadi, and others were present.