Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 5: The Karnataka BJP has announced that it will continue its protest on Saturday, demanding the inclusion of Congress MLAs A S Ponnanna and Manthar Gowda in the FIR related to the suicide of BJP worker Vinay Somaiah.
Vinay, a native of Madikeri, allegedly died by suicide at his Bengaluru office on Friday, leaving behind a death note. The note named MLAs Ponnanna, Manthar Gowda, and Congress leader Thennira Maheena, accusing them of harassment. However, the Hennur police registered an FIR only against Maheena.
Sources said that both the BJP and Vinay’s family have refused to conduct the final rites until the other two names mentioned in the note are added to the FIR.
“All names in the death note must be included,” demanded Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka. He added that BJP state president B Y Vijayendra will visit Madikeri on Saturday and that the agitation will intensify.
Ashoka, along with Council opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and Vinay’s family, submitted an additional complaint to the DCP, urging the inclusion of both MLAs in the case.
He alleged that Vinay was targeted for merely forwarding a social media post and blamed the Congress MLAs and the local SP for the harassment. “Police stations have become Congress offices. The system is being misused,” he charged.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy echoed the sentiments, calling for the suspension of the Kodagu SP and questioning the police’s inaction.
Former DyCM C N Ashwath Narayan lashed out, asking, “Is this a Congress Private Limited government? The death note clearly points to harassment.”
Vinay’s brother Jeevan K S also demanded justice, stating that despite four names being mentioned, only one was included in the FIR.
Former MP Pratap Simha accused the Congress of crushing dissent. “What has MLA Ponnanna done except flaunt Rolex watches?” he said, demanding that the family hold off on final rites until all accused are named in the FIR. “We won’t tolerate this in Kodagu anymore,” he warned.
Meanwhile, MLA A S Ponnanna denied the charges, accusing the BJP of politicising a tragedy. “Though Vinay was from another party, I spoke to his family. That’s what mattered,” he said.