Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 16: KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday July 16 criticised the opposition BJP for stalling the monsoon session of the state legislature over the suicide of DySP M K Ganapati and accused it of playing with the sentiments of the people.

Addressing a press meet at the Circuit House here, Rao said, "When there are several important issues for discussion, the oppositon parties, especially the BJP, are trying to divert people's attention by playing with their sentiments.

"Congress party workers and representatives should be more active and counter this. By spreading lies that the government has done nothing, they (opposition) are creating a false image of the government. This is a strategy by the opposition to completely curb the system of democracy.

"The party representatives and workers should speak about their achievements in the past three years. The government has done several developmental works in three years but the opposition is misleading the public.

"We have also discussed this matter with the media department of the party. We have implemented many projects of several crores, and this should reach the people.

"In democracy criticism is a must and we accept it. Earlier our own speaker and party MLA had criticised us and we had taken it positively. But BJP is not allowing the session to function, neither is allowing issues to be discussed.

"BJP is showing Hitler-like dictatorial attitude. The opposition cannot blackmail the government. For every question, we have been providing answer and we are conducting inquiry too. Is it democracy if you try to control the session? You cannot play with emotions in politics," he said.

Addressing himself to DySP Ganapati's wife Pavana, he said, "Dont trust the BJP. It is using your sentiments for political gains and misleading you. BJP did the same in D K Ravi's case. It is more than one year since the CBI took up the probe, did the BJP leaders meet Ravi's family or ask the CM or the PM to intervene? Why is the report delayed? Even in Ganapati's case, they are playing with emotions. We can understand your pain. No one fill the void. Do not believe the BJP. We are not trying to close the case. What we are saying is the truth. The CID inquiry is on and the government has also ordered judicial probe into this case."

Noting that it was his first visit to the district after becoming the KPCC working president, Rao said, "In the party review meet held today, we mainly discussed how to strengthen the party and organize it more efficiently in the district. We had an open discussion on these issues with the executive committee members. The membership drive is in the final stages and I have asked the party workers to finish it in a month."

To a question regarding demand for minister K J George's resignation over the suicide of DySP Ganapati, Rao said, "Give me even one proof against George. There are several proofs that George has not interfered in the Ganapati case and he has not harassed him. If the allegations are proved we will take action. Not only in Karnataka, BJP is playing with communal sentiments in many parts of the country. In democracy opposition can oppose but should not blackmail. People should understand this."

Answering a query on the claim that Ganapati committed suicide owing to personal problems, he said, "Ganapati's father himself made this statement. Later it was told in the session. It is not the government's stand. It was Ganapati's father's statement that was mentioned in the session."

"The statement that Ganapati gave to the media on the day of the suicide cannot be considered a dying declaration, because in the interview, Ganapati was responding to a question asked by the anchor. Even legal experts have said this. When a person gives a self declaration, then it can be considered as a dying declaration.

"When George was home minister Ganapati got promotion. He was suspended in a theft case in which Rs 1.53 crore was the amount recovered, but he declared only Rs 27,000. But the suspension was revoked in 27 days. There is no circumstantial evidence against George. Give us proof. We are with chief minister Siddaramaiah and K J George. We have full confidence in them," he asserted.

When a question on the same case was posed to MLA Mohiuddin Bava, he said, "Ganapati was a good officer and I had tried to bring him to Suratkal police station, but he said he wanted to work in Bengaluru."

Minister U T Khader added, "During BJP government's tenure in the state, Ganapati was transferred from Ullal to Konaje station."

Minister Ramanath Rai, MLC Ivan D'Souza, Ibrahim Kodijal and others were present.