Alleging that BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi’s purported intimate video clips and photographs with a woman was fake and a ‘conspiracy’ by his political rivals, supporters of the five-time Gokak MLA staged a protest in the town on Wednesday.
The agitators urged Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to not accept Ramesh Jarkiholi’s resignation as Water Resources minister. A few supporters tried to immolate themselves at Basaveshwara Chowk in the town.
As many as 13 buses, including seven from Gokak depot, have been damaged in the stone pelting incidents.
The school/college students and passengers were left stranded at the bus stand as the bus service was stopped as a precaution.
A group of people, said to be the supporters of Ramesh Jarkiholi, forced the traders to shut shop. Some miscreants pelted stones at the buses. A bandh-like situation prevailed in the town.
The police detained 20 people, including the one who tried to immolate himself, and released them later.
The supporters have called Gokak bandh on Thursday, demanding a thorough enquiry into what they call a fake video, and stringent action against those behind the ‘conspiracy’.
Earlier in the day, the Congress and the JD(S) workers staged demonstrations in the town, demanding strict legal action against the BJP leader in the question. A similar protest was staged by the Congress workers in Belagavi.
(Published 03 March 2021, 22:53 IST)
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