Suspended Cong leader Roshan Baig says he will soon resign as MLA
Bengaluru, Jul 8: In fresh trouble for the coalition government hit by a flurry of resignations by MLAs, disgruntled Congress legislator R Roshan Baig, who was suspended last month for his "anti-party" activities, Monday said he would also resign from the State assembly shortly.
The sulking MLA said he would skip the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting Tuesday.
"I have made up my mind almost. I am boycotting the party meeting tomorrow since I have been suspended," Baig told PTI when asked whether he would quit the Congress.
He clarified that he has not made up his mind yet to join the BJP.
"No, no... still not decided (to join BJP).I am still a Congressman but this is final that I am going to resign as MLA," the former minister said.
While 13 MLAs from ruling coalition Congress and the JD(S) resigned earlier including 12 on Saturday, two independent MLAs H Nagesh (Mulbagal constituency) and R Shankar (Ranebennur) withdrew their support to the government Monday.
Baig said he would not resign Tuesday as he has to arrange four flights for Haj pilgrims.
"I am the chairman of the State Haj Committee.
Tomorrow there are four flights (to attend). Hence, I am not going to Mumbai or other places. But I have mentally decided to resign from the assembly," Baig said.
Commenting on the political developments, Baig said such things should not have happened.
"I am punished because I spoke truth. People who have rebelled against the party, no disciplinary action was taken against them. This party is being run at the whims and fancies of a few leaders.
I am selectively targeted," Baig rued.
Hitting out at Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Baig had recently held CLP leader Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show".
He had also called AICC general secretary K C Venugopal a "buffoon."
IMA group founder, Mohammad Mansoor Khan, who is absconding, had recently accused Baig of taking Rs 400 crore from him and not returning it.
Baig has categorically rejected the charge, saying the issue surfaced because of his fallout with some of his political adversaries.
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against the IMA group of companies and Mohammed Mansoor Khan after reports emerged that he has gone underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors have tanked.
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Dharmasthala mass burial allegations: Excavation begins at spots identified by complainant
Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun excavation work at multiple locations in Dharmasthala after a man claimed he had buried several bodies across the temple town. The complainant was brought to the site by officials to help identify the alleged burial spots.
On Monday, the man pointed out 13 different locations near the Netravati bathing ghat, stating that he had personally interred human remains there. Acting on his claims, the SIT returned to the area on Tuesday morning with labourers and began digging at the marked sites using manual tools.
The operation is being conducted under tight police security, with media access strictly denied. Red ribbons now cordon off each location, and night patrols were deployed on Monday to guard the sites.
Senior officials including Internal Security Division SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, ED Mangaluru Zone SP C.A. Simon, Puttur AC Stella Varghese, and others are present at the location.
A medical team from KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, led by Dr. Jagadish Rao and Dr. Rashmi has also joined the SIT at the site.
