BJP high command targeting me, with JD(S) they want to destabilise Cong govt: CM Siddaramaiah
Hubballi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the opposition BJP and its alliance partner JD(S) of trying to 'destabilise' the Congress government in the state, while clarifying that he has done nothing wrong to resign, in connection with the MUDA 'scam'.
Also alleging that the saffron party was still attempting "Operation Kamala" to bring down his government, he affirmed that they won't be successful in their attempts.
"Why are they asking for my resignation? Can it be given as soon as they ask? Just because Vijayendra (BJP state President) asks for resignation, can it be given? Then I will ask Vijayendra to resign as president of his party, will he give in?" Siddaramaiah asked in response to a question on BJP demanding his resignation in connection with the MUDA scam.
Addressing reporters here, the CM said, "Argument will go on (in the court) tomorrow, let's see what the High Court decides. I have not done anything wrong."
He was replying to a query on the court hearing regarding his petition challenging the Governor's sanction for prosecution against him
Charging the BJP high command with "targeting" him, he said, "BJP and JD(S) together are trying to destabilise our government."
The BJP has been demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam'.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of activists Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.
On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved the Karnataka HC challenging the legality of the Governor's order.
Siddaramaiah noted that all Congress legislators and parliamentarians will meet the Governor tomorrow asking him to act on pending requests seeking sanction for prosecution against JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and also against former BJP Ministers -- Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, G Janardhan Reddy.
"They are pending for a long time now, we will seek prosecution sanctions against them. Because in all those cases the probe is over and filing of charge sheet is pending. In my case investigation has not yet happened, there is no report," he said.
To another question on Congress MLA from Mandya Ravikumar Gowda's (Ravi Ganiga) claims that attempts were on by BJP to entice Congress legislators, by offering Rs 100 crore, as part of 'Operation Kamala', the CM said, "Ravi Ganiga has said it, he has told us it is true."
The opposition party never came to power in the state with the blessings of the people, they have always depended on "Operation Kamal", whether it is in 2008 or 2019, he said.
"They always depended on Operation Kamala to come to power, when have they come to power on their own with majority? They have always come to power through the back door. Even now they are trying, but we (Congress) are 136 (MLAs), it is not easy, because they will have to ensure the resignation of about 60 MLAs (to be successful). None of our MLAs will fall for the desire of money," he added.
'Operation Kamala' (Operation Lotus) refers to an alleged attempt of the BJP to engineer defection of opposition legislators to install its own government and to ensure its stability.
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Man chased, brutally stabbed inside public toilet in northwest Delhi; one arrested; juvenile held
New Delhi (PTI): An alleged road rage incident took a fatal turn when a 27-year-old factory worker was chased down by assailants and stabbed multiple times inside a public toilet in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar area, police said on Thursday.
According to police, the incident took place on Wednesday night, when witnesses saw the victim, Santosh Kumar, running into a public toilet in a desperate bid to save his life, with his attackers hot on his heels.
"A PCR call was received at 6:23 pm on April 8 regarding a man being stabbed inside the compound of a Sulabh Sauchalaya located at the fish market in Wazirpur Industrial Area," a senior police officer said.
A police team rushed to the spot and found the victim lying in a pool of blood inside the toilet premises. The victim, originally from Nepal, was residing in Macchi Market area, the official said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the incident stemmed from an altercation between the victim and a motorcycle rider. The verbal spat soon escalated into a physical scuffle, during which the accused, along with an associate, allegedly attacked Santosh with a knife.
Police sources said in a desperate attempt to save himself, the injured victim ran towards the nearby public toilet and tried to latch the door from inside. Eyewitness accounts suggest he tried to take refuge inside the public toilet and shut the door to prevent his attackers from entering. However, he was chased down, overpowered, and stabbed multiple times.
Santosh collapsed on the spot, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
A case under sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intentions) was registered at Ashok Vihar police station and an investigation was taken up.
During the probe, police arrested one accused identified as Tanish (19), a resident of CSA Colony in Macchi Market area, and apprehended a juvenile allegedly involved in the incident.
Police said the motorcycle used by the accused, which they had abandoned while fleeing after the attack, was recovered near the crime scene.
Family members and acquaintances of the deceased expressed shock over the killing. Santosh's uncle, who reached the spot after being informed, recounted the scene.
"When I came here, I saw him lying on the floor, dead. I noticed that he had been stabbed twice. I am not aware of what exactly happened. He was just 27 years old and used to work in a steel company with me. I don't know how many people were involved in the attack. We are from Nepal, and I have been working here for 15 years. I think he was stabbed outside and later came inside the toilet to save himself. There was a bike outside which I think belonged to the attackers," he said.
Police said the motive behind the crime appears to be road rage -- a sudden and heated altercation on the road that spiralled into a violent assault resulting in the victim's death.
Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend any other persons involved in the attack. Police teams are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examining local witnesses to piece together the sequence of events.
