BJP stages dharna in Kalaburagi demanding CBI probe into contractor Sachin's suicide

Kalaburagi: The BJP escalated its attack on the Congress government by staging a massive protest in Kalaburagi, demanding the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge and a CBI probe into the suicide of contractor Sachin.

Senior leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, led the protest, which saw large participation from party workers. The protesters were stopped by the police, briefly detained and later released.

R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of shielding Raju Kapanur, a key accused in the Sachin suicide case, labeling him a gangster.

“The Congress removed him from the Goonda Act, and now they are washing their hands off him. Three of the accused in the case are Congress members. This government is corrupt and directly responsible for such tragic incidents. The BJP will not rest until justice is delivered,” Ashoka declared.

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy questioned Priyank Kharge's credibility and merit for holding a ministerial post, accusing him of misusing constitutional rights for personal gain.

“Priyank boasts of being a three-time minister, but was it merit or money that secured him these positions? In reality, it is misusing constitutional rights. The Dalit leaders have been oppressed,” Narayanaswamy alleged.

He highlighted the exclusion of many Dalit leaders, stating, “Narendraswamy, Anekal Shivanna, S.N. Narayanaswamy, and Prasad Abbayya, despite winning multiple times, have never been given ministerial berths. Why is Priyank Kharge the exception? Dalits in Kalyana Karnataka remain marginalized. Show us one prominent Dalit leader in the Kalyana Karnataka region,” he said.

Narayanaswamy also urged police officials to stand up against alleged political interference.

“Priyank Kharge cannot tolerate the heat of Kalaburagi. He comes in a flight, arrives in an air-conditioned car, conducts brief meetings, collects his dues, and leaves,” he remarked.

Legislative Council member C.T. Ravi condemned what he termed as "supari politics" (contract politics), asserting that such practices have no place in Karnataka.

“Only constitutional and ethical politics will prevail here. The people of Kalaburagi will not tolerate such betrayal,” Ravi asserted.

Council member N. Ravikumar took a dig at Priyank Kharge’s perceived arrogance.

“Kharge arranged tender coconut water and biscuits for this protest. He thinks only he is intelligent. If he has even a shred of humanity, courage, or decency, let him visit Sachin’s grieving family,” he challenged.