Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 11: District BJP president Sathish Kumpala has criticized the Congress government for its handling of recent incidents in the state and district, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order.
"It seems like Congress leaders are controlling the police department," Kumpala said. "Soon after Siddaramaiah arrived in the district, a case was filed against MLA Harish Poonja. Now, following the visit of district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, an FIR has been filed against innocent BJP representatives in Boliyar," he claimed.
Kumpala pointed out that when the Congress came to power in the state, their representatives celebrated, and the BJP did not object or interrupt their celebrations. "Now, a case has been filed against innocent representatives in Boliyar for raising 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans. They couldn't tolerate the celebration and intentionally wanted to disturb the peace," he added.
Kumpala also criticized Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for not visiting BJP representatives who were stabbed, despite being in the district for an event at KS Hegde Hospital. He noted that speaker U T Khader also did not visit the injured.
Kumpala demanded the withdrawal of the complaint filed against party representatives, called for compensation from the government, and urged the government to cover the hospital expenses.
Newly elected district MP Capt Brijesh Chowta echoed Kumpala's sentiments, claiming that the Congress party pressured the police to file a case against BJP representatives in the Boliyar incident. "Since the Siddaramaiah government took over, an anti-Hindu policy has been implemented, pressuring the police to file a counter-complaint," Chowta stated.
Capt Chowta urged the police department to conduct a fair investigation to determine how the accused obtained the knife, whether the incident was pre-planned, and to identify any conspirators. He warned that the BJP would not tolerate police bias and urged them to work under the constitution without succumbing to pressure from Congress leaders.
When asked about the police commissioner's press conference, where he mentioned that provocative statements about Pakistan led to tensions in Boliyar, Kumpala challenged, "Let the police commissioner release the proof of such statements during the celebration."
Capt Chowta added, "The police commissioner should not divert the case through press meets."