Did Mahesh Shetty Timarodi really say CM Siddaramaiah killed 24 people? Here’s the truth
Mangaluru: A video circulating on social media claims that Mahesh Shetty Timarodi stated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah killed 24 people. The government has announced that legal action will be taken against Timarodi without hesitation. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar also commented on the issue. But did Timarodi actually make such a statement? What is the truth behind the viral video?
What does the viral video show?
A video has gone viral showing Mahesh Shetty Timarodi allegedly saying, “Siddaramaiah has killed 24 people. Siddaramaiah should immediately resign as Chief Minister.” Following this, there were widespread demands for action against him. Speaking on the Dharmasthala matter, DCM Shivakumar remarked, “Someone who fuels such claims has called the CM a murderer. Yet, none of you reported it.”
Debate in the Assembly
The video was also discussed in the Assembly today. Opposition leader R. Ashok raised the issue, stating, “The same person who repeatedly insults Dharmasthala is now accusing CM Siddaramaiah of 24 murders, thus insulting the Chief Minister of the state. When allegations arose against Dharmasthala, the government immediately formed an SIT. Will they do the same now when such a charge is made against the CM?” He accused the government of silence and surrender.
What is the reality?
Upon verification, it was found that the viral video was edited. The original clip shows Mahesh Shetty Timarodi referring to a past statement by BJP MLA Harish Poonja, who had accused Siddaramaiah of involvement in the killing of 24 Hindu activists. The viral video distorted Timarodi’s words to make it appear that he himself accused Siddaramaiah.
The original incident dates back to May 24, 2023, when MLA Harish Poonja in Beltangady said, “Satyanna, you sought votes for Siddaramaiah who killed 24 Hindu workers. You asked for votes for Congress that promised to ban Bajrang Dal. Today the people of Beltangady are questioning your Hindutva.” This was captured in the original video.
Following this, an FIR was registered against Poonja under IPC Sections 153, 153(A), 505(1)(B), 505(1)(C), and 505(2) for communal provocation, but the High Court granted a stay.
On May 26, 2023, Timarodi, reacting to the controversy, said, “Jail Harish Poonja, who accused Siddaramaiah of 24 murders, or else people of the state will think it is true that the CM committed the killings.” However, this video was edited and spread as if Timarodi himself had directly accused Siddaramaiah.
Journalist Naveen Soorinje said, “When Harish Poonja accused Siddaramaiah of killings, he went unpunished. Now, at least in response to the opposition’s demands, the government should probe, jail Harish Poonja, and lift the stay on the Beltangady case that alleged Siddaramaiah killed 24 Hindus.”
Interestingly, when opposition leader Ashok repeated the allegation in the Assembly, MLA Harish Poonja himself was present but did not clarify that it was his own earlier remark.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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