The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is planning a series of protests soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Karnataka this weekend, to demand the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George in connection with Dy.SP M.K. Ganapathy’s suicide case.
With the winter session of the Karantaka legislature at Belagavi about a fortnight away, the demand for his resignation is expected to increase in pitch all the way into the session.
BJP MP and former State president Pralhad Joshi cautioned that the party would lay siege to Ministers and black flag demonstrations would be held against them if Mr. George refuses to step down. “The party is planning to take up the issue in the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi,” he said.
Speaking in Bengaluru, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister and election in-charge of Karnataka, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defending his Cabinet colleague, who was named as an accused in an FIR registered by the CBI, was “defending the indefensible”. He added, “If he refuses to quit, Mr. Siddaramaiah has to sack him from the Cabinet.”
Mr. Javadekar also took exception to remarks made by a few Congress Ministers. “Casting aspersions on judiciary and challenging the court’s motives shows callousness of the Congress,” he said. The Supreme Court had rejected the State investigation “lock, stock and barrel” saying it “does not inspire any confidence”, and ordered a probe by the CBI, he observed.
However, Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues dismissed all the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Asserting that the Congress is confident of politically fighting this out, the Chief Minister said the BJP is doing this only to tarnish the image of the Congress government in the State.
CM points a finger at BJP Ministers
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah countered the allegations against Minister K.J. George with a slew of counter-allegations against BJP Ministers.
“At least 20 BJP Ministers have themselves declared in their affidavits that they have criminal cases registered against them. Of these, eight are Cabinet Ministers, including Anantkumar Hegde and Ramesh Jigajinagi from Karnataka. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is facing charges of attempt to murder and other serious offences. Why are their resignations not being sought” he asked. “Even BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa is facing several charges,” he added.