Karnataka: BJP sees Cong high command's hand in 'smear campaign'

A political storm erupted in the Assembly on Monday between the BJP and the Congress after BJP’s Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar claimed that a “smear campaign” against Dharmasthala was being carried out on the “directions” of the Congress high command.

When the BJP raised questions about the manner in which the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed, Congress’ Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna claimed that he was at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence when Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade’s
brother met him and “welcomed” the decision to form an SIT.

Expressing his disapproval to Parameshwara’s answer, Kumar said: “There are tens of people behind that masked man. What’s the background of those asking for the probe? The government is carrying out a smear campaign against Dharmasthala and is with a group which wants to malign Hindu places of worship. This smear campaign is as per the directions of their high command”.

Taking severe exception to this statement, dozens of Congress legislators protested.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, district in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada, and Minister M B Patil were among those who objected.  

During the ensuing face-off, a batch of legislators including Malavalli MLA P M Narendraswamy stormed into the well of the House. At this point, Speaker U T Khader adjourned the House.

After the session resumed, the BJP continued its attack on the Congress. Mangalore North MLA Bharath Shetty said: “There are newspaper reports that an elected representative, MP level, is behind this. He is a former IAS officer. We don’t have any proof, but it came in the papers. It was there on TV channels also. So, we have a doubt that there are different forces trying to stir peace here”.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said he knew who were behind this.

“We know who are with the CM and who all have visited him. We want facts. The government is part of this conspiracy”. After this, the Opposition staged a walkout.