BJP government influencing Bengaluru violence probe, alleges Congress
Bengaluru: Alleging that the BJP government in Karnataka was trying to influence the probe into the recent violence here, state Congress chief D K Shivakumar on Thursday asked top police officers not to work as their agents and asserted that his party men had no role in the riots.
Demanding an investigation by a sitting high court judge into the incident instead of magisterial probe ordered by the government, he warned against alleged attempts to fix Congressmen and said the party would not bow down to such threats.
"I request the police officers, the Commissioner, I'm cautioning, I'm not ready to discuss why the violence happened recently here, but you (police officials) are getting influenced by the Ministers in the BJP government," Shivakumar said.
Speaking at a Congress' protest meet here, he said BJP leaders and ministers are making statements and 'influencing' the police and the course of investigation, by asking them to fix Congress party people.
"Mr Police Commissioner we will not allow you to do this. Not against BJP, but the protest will begin against you. No Congressmen are responsible for this (violence). It is your (police) failure, You have not handled it well. We condemn the incident." he added.
Shivakumar was speaking at an event organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Chief Minister Devraj Urs, and to launch statewide agitation titled "Jana Dhwani" (people's voice) against alleged corruption by the state government.
They also protested the amendments brought by the state government to land reforms, APMC and labour laws through ordinance.
Congress corporators R Sampath Raj (DJ Halli), Abdul Rakeeb Zakir (Pulakeshinagar) and Kaleem Pasha, the husband of Nagawara corporator Irshaad Begum are under police scanner in connection with the incident.
While Pasha has already been arrested, the CCB has questioned Raj and Zakir on Tuesday and seized their phones. The CCB has also arrested Arun, the nephew and personal assistant of Raj.
Shivakumar said he and his party will not tolerate attempts to put the blame on the Congress and its leaders.
"You (police) don't try to become an agent of this BJP government, work under the constitution, lawfully," he said.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had recently said local level "political differences", especially within the Congress, and SDPI's larger conspiracy to disturb law and order were among the reasons behind the violence.
Further alleging that the Home minister was asking officials to issue notices to Congress leaders, Shivakumar said police officials are getting influenced by his statements.
Guilty should be punished, but innocents have been arrested for adding numbers, he alleged and sought to know why action was not taken when instigative statements were made by BJP leaders.
"you're (BJP) using power to put blame on Congress to cover your faults. we will not bow to such threats. It's my duty as party President to fight for my workers who are falsely blamed. I'm not saying this for the sake of it. There are limits to our patience too," he added.
The violence in D J Halli and adjoining areas on August 11 night was unleashed by hundreds of people over an inflammatory social media post put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.
The MLAs residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and his sister.
This 'Jana Dhwani' is also against the corruption of the BJP government, Shivakumar said, as he hit out at the state government over its handling of the COVID crisis and alleged mismanagement in it.
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Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
