BJP Leader CT Ravi questions actions against former CM Yediyurappa in POCSO case
Bengaluru: BJP senior leader and MLC CT Ravi has raised concerns over what he described as an unexpected turn in the POCSO case against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. This development comes after the investigation team had reportedly found the charges baseless and was preparing to file a B-Report.
Speaking at a press conference held at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan in Malleswaram on Friday, Ravi criticized the Congress government’s stance. He pointed out that Karnataka Home Minister Dr. D Parameshwara initially suggested that the complainant was mentally unstable and had a history of filing similar complaints against more than 50 individuals.
Ravi demanded an explanation for the change in the government's position, questioning if it was linked to the Congress party's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He suggested that the defeats of DK Suresh, former MP and brother of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, as well as losses in the home districts of CM Siddaramaiah and the Deputy CM, might have influenced the government’s U-turn.
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The complaint against Yediyurappa alleged that he had sexually harassed a minor girl on February 2, with the complaint being lodged on March 14. Yediyurappa appeared before the CID on April 12 to provide his statement. Despite this, a Bengaluru court has issued a non-bailable warrant against him.
Ravi emphasized that the Karnataka High Court is yet to respond to Yediyurappa's petition to quash the charges. He assured that the BJP would respect the court’s decision.
MLCs N Ravikumar and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with BJP spokesperson Dr. Narendra Rangappa, were also present at the press conference.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
