Karnataka CM questions issue of passes from BJP MP's office

Bengaluru: Expressing shock over the attack on Parliament, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday questioned the issue of visitor passes from the office of Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha to Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan, two youths belonging to Mysuru, accused of hurling gas emitting objects inside Parliament house in New Delhi.

In a statement, Siddaramaiah, a native of Mysuru, said “If the reports of issue of passes from Mysuru MP Pratap Simha are true, then it implies that these youths might have been known to the MP. If they were not acquaintances, then, how were passes issued to strangers? It should be noted that even inadvertent acts of negligence are punishable under the law.”

Seeking answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Karnataka Chief Minister expressed that the Parliament building, which is the heart of the nation, is provided with more stringent security than any other place or building. Yet, how did these youths manage to enter the Parliament with smoke canisters? Adding, he questioned the Prime Minister, “Could there be any involvement of external forces behind the youth’s action?”

Meanwhile, Congress party workers in Mysuru City laid siege to the office of Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha of BJP and demanded action against the MP. Vijay Kumar, Mysuru Rural District president, part of the protest in front of MP’s office, alleged that two youths are part of BJP IT Cell and wanted seizure of records from the Mysuru MP office (to prevent tampering with the evidence). Vijay Kumar asked for an investigation into the issue of passes from the BJP MP’s office.

Devaraj, father of one of the accused Manoranjan, a resident of Vijaynagar in Mysuru City, told reporters that he is very close to Pratap Simha and his son might have used the proximity to get visitor passes to enter the Lok Sabha in New Delhi.