Kin of riot victim throws compensation money on Siddaramaiah's convoy, seeks justice
Bagalkote, Jul 15: High drama unfolded on Friday when the kin of a communal riot victim in the district, refused to accept the compensation amount provided by Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah and threw it at his convoy, seeking justice.
The incident occurred this morning when Siddaramaiah had gone to visit the injured persons admitted in the government hospital.
Sources said the former CM gave Rs 50,000 to each injured person as compensation. This enraged a Hindu as well as a Muslim family, who insisted on getting justice.
When the Leader of Opposition in the assembly was returning after handing over the amount to an injured youth, his sister vented her ire. She told Siddaramaiah that she wanted justice and not money. The Congress leader then tried to pacify her and left the place.
The woman, Nazma tried to pursue Siddaramaiah's car and threw the bundle of currency on the convoy, a video of which has gone viral.
Later speaking to reporters, she said she wanted justice and not money.
Hindus and Muslims need justice. We have to live like the children of one mother. No one should suffer the way we are suffering, she said adding none of the leaders came to visit them immediately after the violence in Kerur town in the district.
Reacting to the incident, Siddaramaiah said someone must have instigated the woman. He also claimed that the family finally accepted the money.
The money has been given to them. It was given out of humanity. It's not that it will be sufficient to mitigate all the difficulties they are facing, the former CM said.
We public representatives are here to ensure that no such incident occurs. People should ask the Chief Minister and the BJP leaders. You should ask this question (seeking justice) to them, Siddaramaiah said.
The BJP hit back at Siddaramaiah, saying the appeasement of the Congress veteran enraged the woman, who threw money on his vehicle. In a tweet, the party said, Siddaramaiah has used the donation collected under Siddaramotsava drive' to show his pride... The party also said that the extreme appeasement of Siddramaiah enraged the woman who threw money on his vehicle.
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
