Video on alleged plot to kill Karnataka BJP MLA S R Vishwanath surfaces, probe on
Bengaluru, Dec 1: A video containing a conversation between a Congress leader and a person who is said to be his associate, allegedly discussing about eliminating Yelahanka BJP MLA S R Vishwanath has surfaced, following which the legislator's security has been enhanced and a probe is on.
The purported conversation between Gopalkrishna, a Congress candidate, who had lost twice against Vishwanath in the Yelahanka assembly segment and his associate Kulla Devraj is said to have taken place a couple of months ago. It was aired widely by Kannada news channels on Wednesday.
While Vishwanath has sought a detailed probe and punishment for those involved, Gopalakrishna has denied the allegation, suggesting that it was the MLA's 'ploy'.
Without divulging much, Bengaluru police chief Kamal Pant merely said that the City Crime Branch is conducting a probe into the case and necessary action will be taken.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said the government has taken seriously, the conspiracy to kill Vishwanath, who is also the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Chairman and a detailed investigation will take place.
"Vishwanath personally spoke to me with regard to the case and investigation is in the preliminary stage," he said, adding that as per the request of the legislator, his security will be enhanced.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is in Hubballi, said he will seek information from officials and Vishwanath personally and assured necessary legal action.
Speaking to reporters, Vishwanath, a three time MLA, said he has lodged a complaint with the police and the home minister that a Congress leader Gopalakrishna wanted him killed.
"Yesterday evening, at around 7-7:30 - one Kulla Devaraj wrote an apology, saying he received supari (contract) from Gopalakrishna. He said he was under a threat for having rejected the supari....I then called the Home Minister immediately," he said.
Expressing shock at the very thought that an MLA can be finished off with a supari (contract) and calling it a dangerous trend, he further said "There are audio and video clippings in which Gopalakrishna is heard and seen plotting to kill me while talking to Devaraj, who is a Congress worker."
"They also discuss getting the killers from Andhra Pradesh. They also know that I drive alone to my farmhouse. They discussed finishing me off there," Vishwanath said, adding that he has brought this to Chief Minister Bommai's notice.
"In one of the videos, Gopalakrishna is heard saying that I can't be defeated in elections. Such a thing has never happened in Karnataka and in my 42-year career. I don't know why Gopalakrishna did this. Should all the winning candidates be killed?" he asked.
Denying the allegations, Gopalakrishna termed the videos that are being aired by local channels as "fake".
"All of this is the MLA's plan. I don't have such a criminal mind. Let it be probed and I will cooperate with the police...It's true that I met Devaraj.. we discussed some land matters. Everything else is edited and manipulated. This has been done to tarnish my image. I will lodge a complaint against Devaraj and sue him," he said.
Gopalakrishna also demand a CBI probe into the 2017 assassination attempt on rowdy-turned-politician Kadabagere Srinivas, alluding to Vishwanath's involvement in it.
Meanwhile, favouring an impartial probe into the alleged conspiracy to eliminate Vishwanath, Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar said "Let the guilty be punished. But this looks like an attempt to oppress political opponents. Also, all of Bengaluru's rowdies are with Vishwanath."
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Trump’s fresh threat to bomb Iran amid reports of deal to end war
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Iran with more bombing if it doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid a report that the warring sides were nearing an agreement to end the war.
US media outlet Axios reported, quoting US officials and two other sources, that the US and Iran were getting close to a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
The US expects Iranian responses on several key points over the next 48 hours, Axios reported, adding that nothing has been agreed yet. This was the closest the parties had been to an agreement since the war began.
"Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before," Trump said.
According to Axios, the deal would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the US agreeing to lift its sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides lifting restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
It said many of the terms laid out in the memo would be contingent on a final agreement being reached, leaving the possibility of renewed war or an extended limbo in which the hot war has stopped, but nothing is truly resolved.
