Daijiworld Media Network - Ballari (SP)

Ballari, Jan 25: The fight between MLAs inside Eagleton Resort at Bidadi is turning murkier by the day. Kampli MLA, J N Ganesh, who had absconded immediately after a first information report (FIR) was registered against him based on complaint made by Vijayanagara MLA, Anand Singh, who has been injured and bruised and is being treated in a hospital, has tried to earn the sympathies of his Valmiki caste. He appears to have succeeded in it.

Ganesh's plan seems to have appealed the people targeted by him. Ganesh, on Thursday January 24, gave details about the incident which happened in the resort in the Facebook page, 'Kampli Congress'. In all possibility, the incident will acquire caste hue.

Anand Singh and J N Ganesh

On January 24, Anand Singh Fans Club had given a call for Hospet Bandh, condemning the attack on MLA Anand Singh. But the Valmiki community, which has a predominant presence in this constituency, strongly backed MLA, Ganesh, and expressed its opposition to the bandh call which was spread through social websites. Anand Singh, realizing that earning the wrath of this community might hurt his political future, appealed through social websites from inside the hospital to withdraw the bandh call. Thereafter, his fans withdrew the bandh call.

In 'Kampli Congress' Facebook page, Ganesh confessed that he and Anand Singh had partied together at the resort after which Anand had accompanied the former to his room and spoke to him till 2.30 am from 11 pm. "Anand told me that he was unable to appreciate the fact that I had risen from humble background to the position of MLA. He said he cannot tolerate the fact that I was sitting as an equal in his presence, and ordered me to sit down on the floor. He also said that he had plotted my defeat in the previous election by making me financially weak, and had forced me to go begging. He also used abusive words against me, charging me with planning to visit New Delhi to make Thukaram a minster," he said.

Ganesh said that Anand told him that he had planned to defeat Bheema Naik by opening an office by buying a land belonging to former MLA, M P Raveendra, but he did not succeed in this plan. "Anand Singh threatened me to open an office in Kampli and finish my political career. He said that Valmiki community, which opposed him during the previous election, could not achieve anything. He said he won in spite of their opposition, and abused me by naming my caste," he claimed.

The Kampli MLA claims that Anand Singh was the first to raise his hand during the discussions. "He hurled choicest abuses at me and derided the caste to which I belong. He tore my shirt, twisted by thumb which resulted in fracture. He hit my back with the bed light and attacked me. Unable to suffer this humiliation, I retaliated thereafter. Bheema Naik and Vishwa Sharanappa are eyewitnesses for what had happened. The leaders know all these things, and they said both of us were at fault. I request people of my constituency not to rely on fake news," he requested.

State Congress in-charge, K C Venugopal, said that this incident has not dented the reputation of the party, which no one can harm. He said that no one is bigger than the party, and action was taken against Ganesh promptly. He added that the party has taken this incident with all seriousness.