Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar accuses BJP of 'divisive politics' over Maddur violence
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday accused the BJP of "engaging in politics" and "dividing people" in the wake of the stone pelting incident during a Ganesha immersion procession in Maddur town.
He also called on the opposition party leaders to secure the state's share of funds and clearance for various projects from the Centre.
The Deputy CM was reacting to a question on a BJP delegation comprising its President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in both houses of legislature R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and other party leaders visiting Maddur on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "They (BJP) don't have any job other than indulging in politics, dividing people and inciting fire. They have nothing else to do," Shivakumar said.
"Let them go to Delhi and get funds (from the Centre for the state). Let them get the state NREGA funds, tax share. Let them get permission for Mekedatu and Mahadayi (river) projects. Let them do this first."
So far, 22 people have been arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident in Maddur.
Tension escalated in Maddur and surrounding areas following the incident on Sunday, with several right-wing organisations staging large-scale protests on Monday.
Declining to comment on the violence, Shivakumar said, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara and District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy have all reacted on the matter."
"I was not in town and I'm not fully aware of the incident, I have seen media reports. I will speak on getting information. Don't want to react without proper information," he added.
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Karnataka HC quashes BJP's defamation case against Rahul Gandhi
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed the defamation proceedings initiated by the BJP against top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The case was filed in 2023, when BJP was in power in Karnataka, following a "corruption rate card" published by the then opposition Congress to claim large scale irregularities prevailing in the state under the saffron party's rule.
Along with Gandhi, now Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the BJP had accused the then Karnataka LoP Siddaramaiah and Congress state president D K Shivakumar.
Presently Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister and Shivakumar is his deputy.
Challenging the defamation case, Gandhi had approached the High Court stating that the continuation of the case would be an abuse of law.
The bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav allowed the petition.
The complainant said that Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had conspired together to defame the BJP government and made baseless allegation and insinuation.
