BJP accuses Congress of targeting Opposition

Bengaluru: Accusing the ruling Congress of "politics of hatred" and selective law enforcement, senior BJP leaders on Friday alleged a politically motivated effort to suppress opposition MLAs - particularly in the case involving the murder of rowdy-sheeter Biklu Shiva, in which BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj has been named in the FIR.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka took to social media platform X to denounce the Congress-led government, "If Congress continues its vindictive politics and targets opposition legislators, BJP will be compelled to launch a fierce struggle against this government," Ashoka wrote.

He reiterated that the BJP does not shield any wrongdoers and emphasised that investigations must take place within the boundaries of law. Referring to Vijayalakshmi, Shiva’s mother, Ashoka pointed out that she publicly stated she had not named Byrathi Basavaraj in her complaint. "Despite this, the police included his name in the FIR," Ashoka said, accusing the government of stooping to new lows in political vendetta.

Echoing Ashoka’s concerns, Jayanagar MLA C K Ramamurthy, at a press conference in Jagannath Bhavan, accused the Congress of using the law enforcement agency to finish off Basavaraj politically and silence opposition voices. "Whenever opposition MLAs speak out, fabricated cases are filed," he alleged, citing similar instances involving leaders like C T Ravi, Prabhu Chauhan, N Ravikumar, Munirathna and Harish Poonja.

Ramamurthy condemned the lack of action against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case and against Congress leaders allegedly named in multiple suicide notes. He also demanded arrests in the recent drug scandal involving Minister Priyank Kharge.