Mahesh Shetty Timarodi’s remark echoes in Assembly; Government vows unhesitating legal action
Bengaluru: A purported statement attributed to Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, claiming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was responsible for 24 murders, reverberated in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday. The government announced that legal action would be initiated against him without hesitation.
Raising the issue in the House, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said that the same individual who repeatedly insults Dharmasthala has now accused the Chief Minister of involvement in 24 killings, which he described as a grave insult to the state’s highest office. Ashoka questioned whether the government would form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into this allegation, as it had done in connection with the Dharmasthala case.
Several BJP members, including MLA Suresh, demanded the immediate arrest of Timarodi, accusing him of indulging in a dangerous trend of maligning anyone who speaks positively about religious institutions.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar intervened, cautioning against giving undue prominence to Timarodi by repeatedly mentioning his name. He noted that Timarodi had also made remarks against the BJP’s national general secretary. “The government is observing everything closely, and the Home Department will take firm action,” Shivakumar said.
Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara later informed the Assembly that multiple cases had already been registered against Timarodi and that instructions had been issued to proceed with legal measures over his latest comments.
However, it subsequently emerged that Timarodi’s alleged remark had been distorted. According to reports, the viral video was edited to suggest that he directly accused the Chief Minister, whereas in reality he was referring to a statement made by BJP MLA Harish Poonja. This edited clip became the basis of the controversy discussed in the Assembly.
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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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