Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Nov 5: With BJP MP, Shobha Karandlaje, making the allegation that Shivaji Nagar MLA and urban development minister, Roshan Baig, was involved with hiring of killers of Rudresh, a popular Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist from Shivaji Nagar and BJP worker, the murder of Rudresh has gained political overtones. Karandlaje said Congress had played a role in eliminating Rudresh, who was gaining in stature over a period.
Shobha added that she stays committed to her allegation, and challenged Baig to file defamation case against her. Her assertion has set the stage for a showdown between her and the minister concerned.
Addressing a press conference on Friday in the city, Shobha Karandlaje alleged that local MLA, Roshan Baig, who could not stand the popularity of Rudresh in Shivaji Nagar area, had hired killers of Rudresh. She said that this issue has been under discussion in local circles and police department, and urged Baig to resign as minister.
"We have information that the arrested accused who are associated with a religious organization, have revealed that Baig had a role in the murder. Rudresh was the 13th in the state to have been murdered after Congress rose to power in the state," she stated. Noting that SDPI and PFI which are involved with these murders also have bases in various states, she said that workers of these organizations come from neighbouring states to kill Hindu activists of Karnataka. She therefore demanded for handing over probe into Rudresh's murder to either National Investigation Agency or Central Bureau of Investigation.
"Our party will be holding state-wide protest on November 8 demanding to place ban on SDPI and PFI organizations and also opposing proposed celebration of Tipu birth anniversary. We will meet union home minister, Rajnath Singh, to seek blanket ban on the above religious organizations," she stated.
In response to Shobha's statement, Roshan Baig dismissed allegations levelled by her and expressed his readiness to face any probe including from Central Bureau of Investigation. In a press meet convened urgently after Shobha made the said allegation, Baig said he would be filing defamation suit against Shobha for making baseless allegations against him.
"I have nothing to do with the murder of Rudresh. A person occupying the august position of MP should not make irresponsible allegations for getting publicity. BJP leaders are known to resort to such gimmicks when elections are near. But people of my constituency know what I am," he stated.
Baig said he knew Rudresh well and that the latter was never his political adversary. "Rudresh was involved with organizational work on his own, and his murder is condemnable. The guilty should be punished. I know various workers of BJP and RSS in this constituency since long, and I have good relationship with them. Shobha Karandlaje does not have any idea about the situation prevailing in my constituency and her statement is nothing but something that is of 'hit and run' kind," he explained.